by our College Data Analytics TeamPlant Science, General was the 514th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 668 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 7.0% reduction in plant sciences degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 715.
This year's Best Plant Science, General Schools ranking compares 32 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of plant sciences programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in plant science, general is using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic plant science, general program qualifications, to serve in some plant sciences careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Plant Sciences degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in plant science, general to something that takes less time like a . Plant Science, General programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to plant sciences, with approximately 22.2% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for plant sciences workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 21.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.2% |
| High School Diploma | 15.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 11.0% |
| Some College Courses | 8.5% |
Most workers in plant sciences have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in plant science, general have received.
The education level required is different depending on the plant sciences career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your plant sciences degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to plant science, general.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers | 1,020,700 | -0.8% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Worker Supervisors | 49,700 | 2.1% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 21,700 | 9.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | 13,600 | 7.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for plant sciences graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for plant science, general graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers plant sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | $90,890 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers | $79,940 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $70,630 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Worker Supervisors | $50,790 |
With over 86 different plant sciences degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased plant sciences school rankings to help you with this.
Plant Science, General is one of 6 different types of Plant Sciences programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agronomy & Crop Science | 1,153 |
| Horticultural Science | 823 |
| Range Science & Management | 190 |
| Plant Protection & Integrated Pest Management | 179 |
| Plant Sciences, Other | 108 |
