Plant Sciencesat California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Graduates earn $46,152/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Plant Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $504K; scenarios range from $471K to $506K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal Poly Pomona
At $46,152 per year, Plant Sciences graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona earn slightly above the $42,710 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Plant Sciences programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Plant Sciences's typical career paths, with 45% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $11,375 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #13 of 50 Plant Sciences programs, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $51,269 are relatively flat compared to the $46,152 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cal Poly Pomona's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Plant Sciences
How Cal Poly Pomona stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal Poly Pomona
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal Poly Pomona, 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 →Frequently asked about Plant Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Plant Sciences at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Plant Sciences field.
Will AI replace Plant Sciences careers?
With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $471,105 in decade earnings vs $505,800 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.