2027 Best Value Plant Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in plant sciences in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $12,281. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $67,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for plant sciences. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $60,443. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for plant sciences. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $19,844. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $54,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the plant sciences program here. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $45,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #6 spot for plant sciences value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $51,454. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #7 position for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in plant sciences this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $25,153. Plant Sciences graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #9 position for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $22,156. Plant Sciences graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $42,008 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,156 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $13,911 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $42,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $47,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas landed the #12 spot for plant sciences value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Iowa State University landed the #13 spot for plant sciences value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $73,707. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Tech University landed the #14 spot for plant sciences value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez placed #15 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,274. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $9,200. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez generally make around $30,053. That is a strong return on a $9,200 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #16 among the best values for plant sciences. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,564 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $40,355. That is a strong return on a $22,564 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Kansas State University landed the #17 spot for plant sciences value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $21,905. Plant Sciences graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $50,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $38,397. That is a strong return on a $25,096 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
South Dakota State University earned the #19 position for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $23,125. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $58,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #20 among the best values for plant sciences. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $46,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #21 for value in plant sciences this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $36,980. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University earned the #22 position for value in plant sciences this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,724 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $46,395. That is a strong return on a $21,724 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University placed #23 among the best values for plant sciences. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $50,611. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Cornell University landed the #24 spot for plant sciences value this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,990 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $32,236. That is a strong return on a $15,990 median debt. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
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 ranking is produced 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
