Home Schools California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Plant Sciences
Agriculture · Plant Sciences Rank #17 of 50

Plant Sciencesat California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Graduates earn $44,038/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Plant Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $503K; scenarios range from $470K to $505K depending on AI disruption.

Arcata, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
52 AVERAGE
53
Optimistic
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,038
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$503K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
46% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

First-year earnings of $44,038 track close to the $42,710 national median for Plant Sciences programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 15.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Plant Sciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

A #17 ranking among 50 Plant Sciences programs places California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $44,038 to $50,661 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$470K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple14.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$503K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple15.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$505K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple15.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Plant Sciences graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$100,830/yr
Moderate
2
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
-1.3% 10-yr growth · 85,500 openings/yr
$87,980/yr
Moderate
3
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 800 openings/yr
$86,350/yr
High
4
Animal scientists
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 200 openings/yr
$79,120/yr
High
5
Soil and plant scientists
+5.4% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$71,410/yr
Moderate
6
Conservation scientists
+3.4% 10-yr growth · 2,500 openings/yr
$67,950/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Plant Sciences

How California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
65
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Top score
California State University-Fresno
CA · Public
68
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
27.2x
ROI
South Dakota State University
SD · Public
63
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
17.1x
ROI
University of Minnesota-Crookston
MN · Public
57
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
10.9x
ROI
Kansas State University
KS · Public
57
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
13.1x
ROI
Also at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Other top programs at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Other highest-scoring programs offered at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Plant Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Plant Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Plant Sciences at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

What does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Plant Sciences at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?

At 52/100, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's Plant Sciences program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Plant Sciences at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?

The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.