[Plant Sciences](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong plant sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 71 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value plant sciences schools.
Finding the Best Value Plant Sciences School for You
The plant sciences program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Plant Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Plant Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked California State University Fresno the best value for a degree in plant sciences in the United States. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $60,443. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in plant sciences will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $51,815. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in plant sciences will find it at Mount Wachusett Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, with out-of-state students paying around $11,080. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $11,497. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $43,883. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Plant Sciences graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $49,481 early in their careers. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fox Valley Technical College earned it the #5 place for plant sciences. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $44,020. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.
North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #6 spot for plant sciences value this year. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Students borrow a median of $15,706 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $48,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #7 position for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $13,500. Plant Sciences graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $46,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Capital Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #9 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $14,234. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $45,531. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for plant sciences. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Treasure Valley Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Treasure Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ontario. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, with out-of-state students paying around $6,795. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Treasure Valley Community College generally make around $47,530. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt.
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #12 for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $14,622. Plant Sciences graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $49,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Mitchell Technical Institute ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Mitchell. Students from in state pay about $7,524 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $12,730. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $47,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in plant sciences this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $47,698. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Crookston placed #16 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Students borrow a median of $23,793 to complete the plant sciences program here. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $57,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,793 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for plant sciences value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the plant sciences program here. Plant Sciences graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #18 for value in plant sciences this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $45,411. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #19 spot for plant sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $14,404. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $43,873 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
California State University Chico earned the #20 position for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $15,000. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $43,944. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #21 for value in plant sciences this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $43,099. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Chadron State College landed the #22 spot for plant sciences value this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $15,989. Plant Sciences graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $36,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,251 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $48,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming earned the #24 position for value in plant sciences this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $36,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #25 for value in plant sciences this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the plant sciences program here. Plant Sciences graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Plant Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for plant sciences this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Plant Sciences](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong plant sciences education at a price that pays off.
