by our College Data Analytics Team
[Plant Sciences](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong plant sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value plant sciences schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the plant sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Mitchell Technical Institute, our #1 best value for plant sciences in the The Plains States Region. Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Mitchell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,524. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Plant Sciences graduates of Mitchell Technical Institute earn a median of $47,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
Chadron State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $15,989 to complete the plant sciences program here. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $36,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Southeast Missouri State University one of the best values for plant sciences. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the plant sciences program here. 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.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $47,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for plant sciences. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Plant Sciences graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #6 spot for plant sciences value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for plant sciences graduates is $15,391. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $35,216. That is a strong return on a $15,391 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #7 for value in plant sciences this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $47,716. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #8 position for value in plant sciences this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,487 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plant sciences degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $36,173. Set against $18,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kansas State University placed #9 among the best values for plant sciences. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $21,905 to complete the plant sciences program here. Plant Sciences graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $50,115 early in their careers. Set against $21,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Iowa State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value plant sciences schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the plant sciences program here. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $61,550. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
South Dakota State University landed the #11 spot for plant sciences value this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career plant sciences graduates make about $58,787. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #12 among the best values for plant sciences. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Plant Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. Plant Sciences graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $46,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,983 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
