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2026 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
For return on investment in plant sciences, no school beat California State University Fresno this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the plant sciences program here. Plant Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $60,443 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in plant sciences will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $36,372. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for plant sciences. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Plant Sciences graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $46,152. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #5 place for plant sciences. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the plant sciences program here. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $36,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
ADBLOCK #101
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Utah State University came in at #7 for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $28,091. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Humboldt State University placed #8 among the best values for plant sciences. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #9 position for value in plant sciences this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $40,794. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #10 position for value in plant sciences this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $14,622. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $49,032. Set against $14,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #11 among the best values for plant sciences. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $37,716. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Washington State University came in at #12 for value in plant sciences 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, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $17,539 to complete the plant sciences program here. Plant Sciences graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $47,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $49,536. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez placed #14 among the best values for plant sciences. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public school located in the city of Mayaguez. Students from in state pay about $5,274 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,200 to complete the plant sciences program here. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez earn a median of $30,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,200 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
West Virginia University placed #15 among the best values for plant sciences. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $37,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
California State University Chico came in at #16 for value in plant sciences this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $15,000. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $43,944. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
Chadron State College landed the #17 spot for plant sciences value this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,989 in student loans. Plant Sciences graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $36,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Davis placed #18 among the best values for plant sciences. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $14,404. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $43,873. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #19 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $48,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #20 spot for plant sciences value this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Students borrow a median of $22,251 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $48,791. That is a strong return on a $22,251 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho came in at #21 for value in plant sciences this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $23,844. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $44,559. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #22 among the best values for plant sciences. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $45,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #23 spot for plant sciences value this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $19,125. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Set against $19,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $63,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #25 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $23,818. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $47,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Plant Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s plant sciences value ranking:
Other Plant Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value plant sciences schools at other degree levels: