2027 Best Value Plant Sciences Schools in the Southwest 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for plant sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Plant Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in plant sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Plant Sciences Schools
For return on investment in plant sciences, no school beat New Mexico State University Main Campus this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in plant sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $43,099. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $24,850. Plant Sciences graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in plant sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas Tech University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in plant sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $24,271. 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.
West Texas A And M University placed #6 among the best values for plant sciences. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $22,333. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #7 for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $21,654. Plant Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $45,163 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 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.
