Botany/Plant Biology Colleges Under $20,000

The University of Florida offers one of the strongest botany programs at just $6,351 net cost, proving that top-tier plant biology education doesn't require financial strain. While most affordable botany programs cluster around regional state universities, Florida's 91.50% graduation rate stands dramatically above competitors like Ohio University's satellite campuses, which hover near 20% completion rates. This gap reflects the challenging nature of plant science coursework and institutional support quality. California leads the affordable botany market with three programs under $20,000, capitalizing on the state's $47 billion agriculture industry that employs thousands of plant biologists in crop research, biotechnology firms, and environmental consulting. Students can access quality botany education for as little as $4,503 at Ohio University-Eastern Campus, though graduation outcomes vary significantly across institutions. The field connects directly to America's growing focus on sustainable agriculture, conservation biology, and pharmaceutical research derived from plant compounds.

Programs

$4,503 – $19,614

Net Price Range

$26,361

Avg. Program Earnings

62.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

47 Botany/Plant Biology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Ohio University-Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, Ohio	$4,503	$6,178	20.0%
2	Ohio University-Southern Campus Ironton, Ohio	$5,328	$6,178	19.3%
3	California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, California	$5,646	$7,073	69.2%	66.7%
4	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, Ohio	$5,971	$6,178	17.7%
5	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, Ohio	$6,133	$6,178	13.7%
6	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
7	Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Chillicothe, Ohio	$6,483	$6,178	12.1%
8	New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, New Mexico	$6,747	$8,147	52.2%	78.1%
9	Western New Mexico University Silver City, New Mexico	$7,912	$7,868	34.9%
10	Utah Valley University Orem, Utah	$8,463	$6,270	40.7%
11	Weber State University Ogden, Utah	$10,722	$6,391	43.0%
12	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$11,580	$7,439	66.7%	55.4%
13	University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming	$11,779	$6,938	59.8%	96.0%
14	University of California-Irvine Irvine, California	$12,840	$14,237	86.0%	21.2%
15	Utah State University Logan, Utah	$12,869	$9,228	57.3%	93.7%
16	San Francisco State University San Francisco, California	$12,882	$7,424	50.1%	94.2%
17	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, California	$13,167	$7,913	46.6%	98.2%
18	University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, Hawaii	$13,181	$12,186	62.6%	72.8%
19	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
20	University of California-Riverside Riverside, California	$13,707	$14,170	76.6%	68.7%
21	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
22	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
23	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
24	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan	$14,832	$17,228	93.2%	17.7%
25	California State University-Chico Chico, California	$14,838	$8,064	63.6%	95.0%
26	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
27	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
28	Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland	$15,323	$9,998	52.1%	87.9%
29	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$15,501	$9,815	62.9%	75.2%
30	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
31	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois	$16,177	$13,244	56.3%	91.5%
32	North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, North Dakota	$16,334	$10,857	63.7%	95.7%
33	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, Oklahoma	$16,378	$10,234	65.9%	70.6%
34	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
35	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, North Carolina	$16,931	$8,895	84.6%	47.2%
36	The University of Montana Missoula, Montana	$17,118	$8,152	45.4%	95.4%
37	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
38	University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky	$17,218	$13,212	69.9%	94.9%
39	Idaho State University Pocatello, Idaho	$17,324	$8,356	38.3%
40	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, Oklahoma	$17,413	$9,595	75.3%	72.9%
41	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
42	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
43	University of Maine Orono, Maine	$18,045	$12,606	56.4%	94.0%
44	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165	$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
45	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
46	Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon	$19,568	$13,494	70.6%	82.5%
47	Kent State University at Kent Kent, Ohio	$19,614	$12,846	65.5%	88.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic graduation rate differences between botany programs?

University of Florida achieves a 91.50% graduation rate compared to Ohio University satellite campuses averaging under 20%. This reflects institutional resources, research opportunities, and student support systems. California State University-Fullerton maintains a solid 69.20% rate at $5,646 net cost, showing that mid-tier public universities can deliver strong outcomes without premium pricing.

How do Ohio University's satellite campuses keep costs so low?

Ohio University's regional campuses operate with shared administrative costs and lower overhead, resulting in net prices from $4,503 to $6,483. These campuses serve local populations with basic botany coursework and transfer pathways. However, graduation rates of 12.1% to 20% suggest many students transfer to main campuses or face academic challenges requiring additional support.

Where do California's affordable botany programs excel?

California State University-Fullerton delivers strong value at $5,646 net cost with a 69.20% graduation rate and 66.72% acceptance rate. Cal Poly Pomona costs more at $11,580 but offers hands-on agricultural focus with 66.70% graduation rates. Both schools benefit from California's massive agriculture industry providing internships and career connections.

Is the $23,761 median salary concerning for botany graduates?

The consistent $23,761 starting salary reflects entry-level positions in research labs, botanical gardens, and environmental consulting. Many botany graduates pursue advanced degrees, with master's programs leading to $35,000-45,000 positions in government agencies like the Forest Service. The field rewards specialization, with pharmaceutical botany and agricultural research offering higher compensation tracks.

Does University of California-Irvine justify its higher cost for botany?

UC Irvine's $12,840 net cost delivers an 86% graduation rate and access to modern plant genomics research. The school's proximity to biotech companies in Orange County creates internship opportunities unavailable at lower-cost alternatives. However, students should weigh research ambitions against schools like New Mexico State at $6,747 offering solid programs with better affordability.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.