Agriculture ยท bachelor's degree
Plant and soil science major: colleges and pay
79 colleges in our data award bachelor's degrees in plant and soil science, 1,946 of them in 2023-24. Graduates of the typical program earned $43,882 a year after graduating and $56,265 four years after.
Colleges offering it79
Graduates in 2023-241,946
Typical median debt$18,625
Typical earnings 1 yr after$43,882
Typical earnings 4 yrs after$56,265
Earnings to debt2.4x
Official field name: Plant Sciences.
Colleges where plant and soil science graduates earn the most
Programs with at least 10 graduates in 2023-24, ranked by median earnings four years after graduation.
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA | 49 | $58,916 | $82,487 | $19,333 |
| South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD | 17 | $58,913 | $78,494 | $20,500 |
| California State University-FresnoFresno, CA | 63 | $63,767 | $77,034 | $19,250 |
| University of California-DavisDavis, CA | 31 | $45,345 | $72,335 | n/a |
| California State University-ChicoChico, CA | 33 | $45,257 | $68,629 | $12,767 |
| California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA | 26 | $49,887 | $66,714 | n/a |
| Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX | 22 | $49,672 | $66,513 | $18,500 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL | 14 | $52,117 | $63,279 | n/a |
| University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia, MO | 36 | $44,702 | $62,957 | $15,728 |
| University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE | 50 | $49,939 | $61,946 | $18,750 |
| The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN | 31 | $42,875 | $61,587 | $16,264 |
| Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro, AR | 19 | $46,797 | $61,397 | n/a |
| University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville, WI | 14 | $49,026 | $61,085 | $18,390 |
| Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA | 118 | $48,895 | $60,997 | $17,504 |
| University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls, WI | 27 | $45,523 | $59,732 | $16,750 |
| Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY | 21 | n/a | $58,960 | $8,604 |
| Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS | 56 | $48,690 | $58,603 | $19,625 |
| Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR | 61 | $39,032 | $57,950 | $25,716 |
| Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH | 32 | $43,908 | $56,812 | $20,250 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA | 42 | $43,317 | $56,630 | $19,500 |
| Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO | 24 | $46,752 | $56,265 | n/a |
| Chadron State CollegeChadron, NE | 24 | $38,794 | $53,484 | n/a |
| University of FloridaGainesville, FL | 34 | $31,918 | $53,270 | $12,920 |
| Clemson UniversityClemson, SC | 18 | n/a | $52,844 | $16,500 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN | 24 | $37,228 | $52,707 | $20,052 |
Largest plant and soil science programs
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA | 118 | $48,895 | $60,997 | $17,504 |
| West Texas A & M UniversityCanyon, TX | 73 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| California State University-FresnoFresno, CA | 63 | $63,767 | $77,034 | $19,250 |
| North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC | 62 | $50,242 | $51,696 | $17,750 |
| Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR | 61 | $39,032 | $57,950 | $25,716 |
| Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO | 60 | $38,398 | $42,034 | $22,650 |
| Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS | 56 | $48,690 | $58,603 | $19,625 |
| University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE | 50 | $49,939 | $61,946 | $18,750 |
| Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield, MO | 50 | $41,824 | $47,267 | $13,000 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA | 49 | $58,916 | $82,487 | $19,333 |
| Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS | 43 | $42,984 | $50,653 | $19,688 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA | 42 | $43,317 | $56,630 | $19,500 |
| West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV | 37 | $36,937 | $50,249 | $20,500 |
| University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia, MO | 36 | $44,702 | $62,957 | $15,728 |
| University of IdahoMoscow, ID | 36 | $41,322 | $47,392 | $16,500 |
Graduate degrees in plant and soil science
Master's: 53 programs, $69,885 first-year earnings; Doctoral: 44 programs, $82,447 first-year earnings; Professional doctorate: 1 programs. Compare graduate programs.
Every college with a plant and soil science major
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA | 49 | $58,916 | $82,487 | $19,333 |
| South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD | 17 | $58,913 | $78,494 | $20,500 |
| California State University-FresnoFresno, CA | 63 | $63,767 | $77,034 | $19,250 |
| University of California-DavisDavis, CA | 31 | $45,345 | $72,335 | n/a |
| California State University-ChicoChico, CA | 33 | $45,257 | $68,629 | $12,767 |
| California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA | 26 | $49,887 | $66,714 | n/a |
| Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX | 22 | $49,672 | $66,513 | $18,500 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL | 14 | $52,117 | $63,279 | n/a |
| University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia, MO | 36 | $44,702 | $62,957 | $15,728 |
| University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE | 50 | $49,939 | $61,946 | $18,750 |
| The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN | 31 | $42,875 | $61,587 | $16,264 |
| Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro, AR | 19 | $46,797 | $61,397 | n/a |
| University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville, WI | 14 | $49,026 | $61,085 | $18,390 |
| Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA | 118 | $48,895 | $60,997 | $17,504 |
| University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls, WI | 27 | $45,523 | $59,732 | $16,750 |
| University of Minnesota-CrookstonCrookston, MN | 9 | $61,464 | $59,240 | n/a |
| Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY | 21 | n/a | $58,960 | $8,604 |
| Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS | 56 | $48,690 | $58,603 | $19,625 |
| Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR | 61 | $39,032 | $57,950 | $25,716 |
| Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBend, OR | 3 | $39,032 | $57,950 | $25,716 |
| Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH | 32 | $43,908 | $56,812 | $20,250 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA | 42 | $43,317 | $56,630 | $19,500 |
| Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO | 24 | $46,752 | $56,265 | n/a |
| Chadron State CollegeChadron, NE | 24 | $38,794 | $53,484 | n/a |
| University of FloridaGainesville, FL | 34 | $31,918 | $53,270 | $12,920 |
| Clemson UniversityClemson, SC | 18 | n/a | $52,844 | $16,500 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN | 24 | $37,228 | $52,707 | $20,052 |
| University of WyomingLaramie, WY | 14 | $43,750 | $52,652 | n/a |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA | 35 | $37,667 | $52,329 | $25,000 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgMiddletown, PA | 1 | $37,667 | $52,329 | $25,000 |
| Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL | 19 | $47,671 | $52,104 | $18,114 |
| University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA | 22 | n/a | $51,912 | $20,500 |
| North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC | 62 | $50,242 | $51,696 | $17,750 |
| SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at CobleskillCobleskill, NY | 24 | n/a | $51,399 | $17,370 |
| Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS | 43 | $42,984 | $50,653 | $19,688 |
| West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV | 37 | $36,937 | $50,249 | $20,500 |
| Delaware Valley UniversityDoylestown, PA | 12 | $34,800 | $48,031 | n/a |
| Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI | 27 | $49,378 | $47,404 | $20,750 |
| University of IdahoMoscow, ID | 36 | $41,322 | $47,392 | $16,500 |
| Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield, MO | 50 | $41,824 | $47,267 | $13,000 |
| Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT | 34 | n/a | $45,392 | $21,892 |
| Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO | 60 | $38,398 | $42,034 | $22,650 |
| Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | 9 | n/a | $35,728 | n/a |
| University of VermontBurlington, VT | 16 | n/a | $34,672 | $19,500 |
| University of Puerto Rico-MayaguezMayaguez, PR | 36 | $22,963 | $30,252 | n/a |
| Washington State UniversityPullman, WA | 16 | $64,374 | n/a | n/a |
| Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO | 18 | $53,530 | n/a | $18,250 |
| Utah State UniversityLogan, UT | 30 | $45,006 | n/a | $12,500 |
| Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN | 17 | $43,856 | n/a | n/a |
| Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN | 19 | $40,898 | n/a | n/a |
| New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM | 21 | $40,393 | n/a | n/a |
| University of GeorgiaAthens, GA | 26 | $39,480 | n/a | n/a |
| Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater, OK | 17 | $37,333 | n/a | $19,498 |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA | 19 | $36,709 | n/a | n/a |
| University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI | 15 | $34,612 | n/a | n/a |
| California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata, CA | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| California State University-Monterey BaySeaside, CA | 32 | n/a | n/a | $8,250 |
| College of the OzarksPoint Lookout, MO | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dordt UniversitySioux Center, IA | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Fort Valley State UniversityFort Valley, GA | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Huntington UniversityHuntington, IN | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo, ND | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Oklahoma Panhandle State UniversityGoodwell, OK | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ | 23 | n/a | n/a | $18,500 |
| SUNY MorrisvilleMorrisville, NY | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville, TX | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshall, MN | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX | 34 | n/a | n/a | $18,500 |
| University of ArizonaTucson, AZ | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of DelawareNewark, DE | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of KentuckyLexington, KY | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Mount OliveMount Olive, NC | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| West Texas A & M UniversityCanyon, TX | 73 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Frequently asked questions
How much do plant and soil science majors make?
Graduates of the typical plant and soil science program earned a median of $43,882 one year after graduation and $56,265 four years after, in 2024 dollars.
Which college has the highest-paid plant and soil science graduates?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, where graduates earned a median of $82,487 four years after graduation (programs with at least 10 graduates).
How many colleges offer a plant and soil science major?
79 colleges on the College Scorecard awarded bachelor's degrees in plant and soil science in 2022-23 or 2023-24.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.