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Plant Sciences at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Amherst, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,170/yr (-13% vs median)

AI Risk High (45% exposed)

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

ROI 6.7x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #44 of 50 Plant Sciences programs

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	$462K	$465K	$441K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	6.7x	6.7x	6.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.9x	3.0x	2.8x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	42%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	37	32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$69,428

Out-of-state: $157,172 (3.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$94,764

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,250

7.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,170/yr, roughly in line with the $42,710 national median for Plant Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 6.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 45% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,250 debt-to-$37,170 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #44 out of 50 programs, University of Massachusetts-Amherst's financial outcomes for Plant Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of Massachusetts-Amherst

A 58% admission rate makes University of Massachusetts-Amherst accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 23,694 in Amherst, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Amherst →

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 University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Massachusetts-Amherst's Plant Sciences program score?

This program scores 37/100 — 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 →