2026 Best Value Plant Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

Illinois Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among plant sciences schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $8,099. Plant Sciences graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire, WI

Students looking for strong value in plant sciences will find it at Chippewa Valley Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for strong value in plant sciences will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

4

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned it the #4 place for plant sciences. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $22,251. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $48,791. Set against $22,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

5

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value plant sciences schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. 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. The acceptance rate is 89%.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $15,750. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $45,411. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #7 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

8

Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
Wooster, OH

Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute placed #8 among the best values for plant sciences. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Wooster. In-state tuition and fees average $9,584, compared with $36,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $11,717. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $34,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for plant sciences value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $13,911. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $42,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

10

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #10 among the best values for plant sciences. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $24,250. Plant Sciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $35,701 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.