2027 Best Value Plant Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Plant Sciences](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for plant sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Plant Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in plant sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Plant Sciences Schools
California State University Fresno earned the #1 spot for value among plant sciences schools in the United States. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $60,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for plant sciences. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $36,372. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State Polytechnic University Pomona one of the best values for plant sciences. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the plant sciences program here. 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. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in plant sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $19,026. Plant Sciences graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Monterey Bay one of the best values for plant sciences. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,622 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $49,032. Set against $14,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in plant sciences this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Crookston placed #7 among the best values for plant sciences. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in plant sciences this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $15,125. Plant Sciences graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,536 early in their careers. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of California Davis ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the plant sciences program here. 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.
University Of Georgia placed #10 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the plant sciences program here. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $40,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #11 spot for plant sciences value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $45,411. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
California State University Chico ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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.
Chadron State College landed the #13 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. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $36,558. That is a strong return on a $15,989 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $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. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming came in at #15 for value in plant sciences this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $20,283. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $36,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #16 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $37,716. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Washington State University earned the #17 position for value in plant sciences this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $47,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #18 spot for plant sciences value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans. Plant Sciences graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $63,129 early in their careers. Set against $16,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #19 among the best values for plant sciences. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho came in at #20 for value in plant sciences this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $23,844. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $44,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
West Virginia University landed the #21 spot for plant sciences value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Plant Sciences graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $37,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #22 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,156 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $42,008. That is a strong return on a $22,156 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #24 for value in plant sciences this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,391 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $35,216. That is a strong return on a $15,391 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,105 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $42,712. That is a strong return on a $16,105 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Plant Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for plant sciences this year:
Other Plant Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value plant sciences schools at other degree levels:
View All Plant Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
