Plant Sciencesat Clemson University
Graduates earn $46,395/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Plant Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $509K; scenarios range from $475K to $511K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Clemson University
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.
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 Clemson University'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 Clemson University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Clemson University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Clemson University, 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 Clemson University
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.