by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you love learning about plants and how things grow? There are millions of plant varieties growing on our green earth. Major in Botany / Plant Biology to study these plants. You will learn how they function, what they look like, how they are related, where they grow, how they have evolved, and how people use plants.
The many plants on our earth serve vital functions for human survival. For starters, we need plants for energy and for oxygen. These powerful and beautiful organisms are also used to create many of the remedies and medicines we use today. Plants are so powerful they can affect climate, the water cycle, and our everyday life. As a Botany Major you get to immerse yourself in this incredible world.
Courses that you will come across in this major include: biochemistry, field ecology, genetics, microbiology, photosynthesis, the study of algae, plant anatomy, plant physiology, plant evolution, plant taxonomy, and the study of ferns.
Concentrations in botany include: Botany/Plant Biology, Plant Pathology, Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology.
Botany/Plant Biology was the 259th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 683 degrees in this year alone. This year's Best Botany/Plant Biology Schools ranking compares 20 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom botany rankings further below.
If you like to hike, garden or camp, it could be an indication that you will enjoy this major. Students should have a love for nature and the environment. Botany will require field work where you will observe plants in their natural habitat.
Classes will include both lectures and labs. Lab work will help reinforce what you learn during lectures. Students will learn how to completely break down the biological systems of a particular plant. This will provide you the ability to learn plant anatomy, organization of their cells and plant organs. Your classes will require you to write lab reports, so you will need strong writing skills. You will also take exams with short answer questions.
Students should be comfortable working on group projects, as well as spend many hours on their own doing research in a lab. We suggest forming study groups to work through difficult problems. Don't be afraid to speak to your professors; they are here to help you succeed. You will work through real world problems with your professors, such as the extinction of certain plants and the invasion of others and how we can change it.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most botany degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional botany certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of botany degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in botany/plant biology to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common botany degree levels is shown below.
| 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 botany, with approximately 36.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to botany tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 35.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 18.8% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 17.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.4% |
55.0% of botany workers have at least a master's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in botany/plant biology have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which botany career you choose.
A major in Botany/Plant Science provides graduates with a broad set of skills they can use in a variety of careers. Graduates can become marine or freshwater biologists, or work on farms or in a tropical forest developing new medicines. Graduates also find work in museums, botanical gardens or arboretums. Other positions include workers for the U.S. Forest Service. This degree will allow you work in many different fields because it is very diverse. Some botanists will earn their Ph.D., however that is not necessary unless you want to conduct research or teach at a college. Those with advanced degrees are often able to obtain higher-paying positions.
Want a job when you graduate with your botany degree? Botany/Plant Biology careers are expected to grow 11.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to botany/plant biology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Professors | 71,700 | 15.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Biological Scientists | 41,800 | 8.0% |
Recently graduated botany/plant biology students earned an average of $31,606 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $30,713 to as high as $34,442. As you might expect, salaries for botany graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for botany/plant biology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers botany grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Biological Scientists | $83,600 |
With over 195 different botany 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 botany school rankings to help you with this.
Botany/Plant Biology is one of 14 different types of Biological & Biomedical Sciences programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Botany | 445 |
| Plant Pathology/Phytopathology | 159 |
| Other Botany/Plant Biology | 56 |
| Plant Molecular Biology | 16 |
| Plant Physiology | 7 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Biology | 106,032 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology | 14,558 |
| Neurobiology & Neurosciences | 12,616 |
| Physiology & Pathology Sciences | 9,568 |
| Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology | 7,935 |
