by our College Data Analytics Team
[Plant Sciences](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their plant sciences graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find where plant sciences graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose plant sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
California State University Fresno tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying plant sciences schools in the Far Western Region. California State University Fresno is a public school located in the city of Fresno. After graduating, plant sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno typically earn about $78,715 annually.
A rank of #2 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the highest-paying schools for plant sciences. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Plant Sciences graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $74,094 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying plant sciences schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. After graduating, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz typically earn about $61,102 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in plant sciences will find them at California State University Chico, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. Early-career plant sciences graduates from California State University Chico make a median of around $70,548 per year.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying plant sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Early-career plant sciences graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona make a median of around $51,269 per year.
Washington State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for plant sciences. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. After graduating, plant sciences degree recipients from Washington State University typically earn about $47,531 annually.
Humboldt State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for plant sciences. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a public institution. Plant Sciences graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of about $50,661 a year early in their careers.
Oregon State University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for plant sciences. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. Students who complete the plant sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,355.
University Of California Davis earned the #9 position for plant sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. After graduating, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of California Davis typically earn about $43,873 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their plant sciences graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 9 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
