by our College Data Analytics Team
[Plant Sciences](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a plant sciences degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying plant sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose plant sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is South Dakota State University, our #1 for plant sciences graduate salaries in the The Plains States Region. South Dakota State University is a public school located in the town of Brookings. Students who complete the plant sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,485.
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying plant sciences schools. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a public institution. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of about $62,594 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Kansas State University one of the highest-paying schools for plant sciences. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a public institution. Early-career plant sciences graduates from Kansas State University make a median of around $61,678 per year.
Southeast Missouri State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in plant sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. Early-career plant sciences graduates from Southeast Missouri State University make a median of around $59,143 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Iowa State University one of the highest-paying schools for plant sciences. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a public institution. Students who complete the plant sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,206.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying plant sciences schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school located in the city of Lincoln. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of about $58,512 a year early in their careers.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #7 spot for plant sciences salaries this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school located in the town of Maryville. Students who complete the plant sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,315.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for plant sciences. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Students who complete the plant sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,941.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for plant sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the plant sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,048.
Chadron State College earned the #10 position for plant sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a public institution. Early-career plant sciences graduates from Chadron State College make a median of around $47,267 per year.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying plant sciences schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $45,549 a year early in their careers.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #12 position for plant sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Plant Sciences graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of about $41,016 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries plant sciences graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 12 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.
