2026 Best Value Plant Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
[Plant Sciences](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for plant sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Plant Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in plant sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Plant Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fresno the best value for a degree in plant sciences in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $60,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Treasure Valley Community College earned it the #2 place for plant sciences. Set in the town of Ontario, Treasure Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,795 for out-of-state students. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $47,530. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned it the #3 place for plant sciences. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $46,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Humboldt State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,129 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $44,038. Set against $19,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Washington State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in plant sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $17,539. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $47,531. That is a strong return on a $17,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #6 spot for plant sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $49,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Chico earned the #7 position for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis came in at #8 for value in plant sciences this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #9 for value in plant sciences this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $63,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $18,559. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $40,920. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University landed the #11 spot for plant sciences value this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $25,096. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $38,397. Set against $25,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
