Plant Sciences at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,701/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (103,300 openings/yr)
ROI 7.7x earnings multiple (2.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #47 of 50 Plant Sciences programs

Program Analysis

While the career paths listed are impressive, they don't reflect the typical entry-level roles for a bachelor's degree holder. Many of those high-paying positions, like postsecondary teaching or senior agricultural management, require a graduate degree or decades of experience. Your initial career is more likely to be as a research assistant, greenhouse technician, or a field scout for an agricultural supplier. While Michigan State is a premier land-grant university with deep roots in agriculture, the regional job market for these entry-level science roles is not as robust or high-paying as in biotech hubs. To overcome these financial hurdles, you must treat your bachelor's as a stepping stone. Your key advice: plan from day one to pursue a master's or Ph.D., leveraging MSU's strong research facilities to build a compelling graduate school application.

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 $492K $492K $461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.7x 7.7x 7.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.8x 2.8x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (2.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,004
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,550
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,604
31% growth from Year 1

About Michigan State University

A 84% acceptance rate means Michigan State University is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 40,243 in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan 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

Plant Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Michigan State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 Michigan State University's Plant Sciences program score?
This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Plant Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 are Plant Sciences earnings lower at Michigan State University?
Lower starting pay at Michigan State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →