Plant Sciences at Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings
$36,173/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk
High (45% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (103,300 openings/yr)
ROI
12.8x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
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 | $458K | $462K | $438K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.7x | 12.8x | 12.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.4x | 6.4x | 6.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 42% | 32% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 39 | 38 | 34 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,096
Out-of-state: $71,712 (6.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,016
13% growth from Year 1
About Missouri State University-Springfield
Missouri State University-Springfield accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 13,407 students in Springfield, MO.
See all programs and financial aid at Missouri State University-Springfield →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
Compare & Explore
Plant Sciences at Other Schools
Other Majors at Missouri State University-Springfield
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 Missouri State University-Springfield's Plant Sciences program score?
This program scores 38/100 — 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 Missouri State University-Springfield?
Lower starting pay at Missouri State University-Springfield 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 →