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Plant Sciences at Clemson University

Clemson, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $46,395/yr (9% vs median)

AI Risk High (45% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (103,300 openings/yr)

ROI 8.2x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #35 of 50 Plant Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Plant Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$511K	$509K	$475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.2x	8.2x	7.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.2x	3.2x	3.0x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	42%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	43	42	37

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$62,216

Out-of-state: $157,992 (3.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$88,448

-42% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

5.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,036

Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

Clemson University's Plant Sciences graduates start at $46,395/yr — above the $42,710 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.2x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,500 in median debt clears quickly against $46,395 in annual earnings.

Ranked #35 of 50 Plant Sciences programs, Clemson University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Clemson University

Admission to Clemson University is competitive, with 38% of applicants accepted, one of the larger campuses at 22,778 students in Clemson, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Clemson University →

Top Career Paths

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr

View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Plant Sciences at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Plant Sciences at Clemson University?

A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Plant Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $474,590 in decade earnings vs $510,852 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →