Home Schools University of Nebraska Plant Sciences
Agriculture · Plant Sciences Rank #10 of 50

Plant Sciencesat University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Graduates earn $47,716/yr in their first year — about 12.0% above the national Plant Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $540K; scenarios range from $498K to $545K depending on AI disruption.

Lincoln, NE Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
56
Optimistic
50
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,716
1-year post-graduation
ROI
13.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$540K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
46% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Nebraska

The strong outcomes for Nebraska's Plant Sciences graduates are rooted in the university's land-grant mission and its prime location in the heart of America's agricultural belt. This isn't just an academic program; it's a direct pipeline into the massive agribusiness industry that drives the regional economy. You'll find deep connections to global giants like Corteva Agriscience and Bayer, as well as influential local cooperatives, all of whom actively recruit from campus for roles in crop management, research, and sales. The high AI risk reflects a rapidly advancing field where skills in precision agriculture, drone technology, and data analysis are becoming essential. To maximize your value, seek out internships that blend fieldwork with ag-tech, ensuring you are prepared to manage the sophisticated, data-driven farms of the future.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$498K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple12.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$540K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple13.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$545K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Nebraska's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Plant Sciences graduates typically work

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.

1
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$100,830/yr
Moderate
2
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
-1.3% 10-yr growth · 85,500 openings/yr
$87,980/yr
Moderate
3
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 800 openings/yr
$86,350/yr
High
4
Animal scientists
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 200 openings/yr
$79,120/yr
High
5
Soil and plant scientists
+5.4% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$71,410/yr
Moderate
6
Conservation scientists
+3.4% 10-yr growth · 2,500 openings/yr
$67,950/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Plant Sciences

How University of Nebraska stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
65
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Top score
California State University-Fresno
CA · Public
68
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
27.2x
ROI
South Dakota State University
SD · Public
63
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
17.1x
ROI
University of Minnesota-Crookston
MN · Public
57
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
10.9x
ROI
Kansas State University
KS · Public
57
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
13.1x
ROI
Also at University of Nebraska

Other top programs at University of Nebraska

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nebraska, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Plant Sciences at University of Nebraska

What does a 56/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Plant Sciences at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

At 56/100, University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Plant Sciences program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Plant Sciences at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln one of the best schools for Plant Sciences?

Among 50 Plant Sciences programs, University of Nebraska-Lincoln's #10 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.