Plant Sciencesat North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Graduates earn $49,048/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Plant Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $522K; scenarios range from $484K to $525K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at North Dakota State
Graduates earn $49,048/yr, edging above the $42,710 national average for Plant Sciences — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Plant Sciences programs nationally.
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 8% gap from the optimistic case.
At #20 of 50 Plant Sciences programs, North Dakota State University-Main Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
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 North Dakota State'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 North Dakota State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at North Dakota State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at North Dakota State, 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 North Dakota State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Plant Sciences at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
A score of 49/100 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 $484,295 in decade earnings vs $524,931 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.