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Plant Sciences at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $45,994/yr (8% vs median)

AI Risk High (45% exposed)

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

ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #22 of 50 Plant Sciences programs Top 50%

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	$484K	$485K	$456K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.3x	12.3x	11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.6x	4.6x	4.3x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	42%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	49	48	42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$39,260

Out-of-state: $106,320 (4.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$62,004

-58% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

5.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$47,207

3% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $45,994/yr, edging above the $42,710 national average for Plant Sciences — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 12.3x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $19,500 in median debt against $45,994 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #22 out of 50 programs, Mississippi State University's Plant Sciences offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $45,994 to $47,207 over five years (3% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University has a 76% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 18,092 students in Mississippi State, MS.

See all programs and financial aid at Mississippi 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 Mississippi State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Mississippi State University's Plant Sciences program score?

This program scores 48/100 — 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.

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