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Plant Sciences at Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
58
Optimistic
57
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,115/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (103,300 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 50 Plant Sciences programs Top 25%

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 $561K $554K $509K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.8x 12.7x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 5.0x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 57 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,768
Out-of-state: $111,264 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,532
-63% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,678
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $50,115/yr, edging above the $42,710 national average for Plant Sciences — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 12.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 45% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $21,500 in median debt against $50,115 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #6 out of 50 programs, Kansas State University's Plant Sciences program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $50,115 to $61,678 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Kansas State University

Kansas State University has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 14,835 in Manhattan, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Kansas State 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

Compare this program → View all 50 schools offering Plant Sciences →

Plant Sciences at Other Schools

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($63,129) California State University-Fresno ($60,443) South Dakota State University ($58,787) University of Minnesota-Crookston ($57,915) Arkansas State University ($49,536) Iowa State University ($49,393) North Dakota State University-Main Campus ($49,048) University of Wisconsin-River Falls ($48,791)

Other Majors at Kansas State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,758) Computer Engineering ($77,938) Industrial Engineering ($77,724) Chemical Engineering ($77,492) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($76,385) Agricultural and Food Products Processing ($76,052) Construction Engineering Technologies ($74,253) Architectural Engineering ($74,091)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Plant Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Kansas State University's Plant Sciences program score?
This program scores 57/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Plant Sciences graduates.
How vulnerable is Plant Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Plant Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Kansas State University rank so high for Plant Sciences?
The #6 ranking out of 50 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →