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Soil Sciences Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

University of Florida delivers one of the country's most affordable soil science educations at just $6,351 annually, making it nearly half the cost of the next closest option. This dramatic price advantage reflects the strength of public universities in agricultural research states, where soil science programs benefit from established connections to farming communities and research facilities. The 20 programs under $20,000 span from Florida's sandy coastal soils to New Mexico's arid landscapes, each offering unique regional expertise. Agricultural companies like Cargill and land-grant universities across the Midwest create steady demand for soil scientists, with graduates earning between $44,356 and $57,318 annually. While acceptance rates vary widely from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's selective 30% to Brigham Young University-Idaho's open 96%, the consistent thread remains affordability without sacrificing career outcomes in this specialized field.
22
Programs
$6,351 – $18,109
Net Price Range
$46,716
Avg. Program Earnings
70.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Soil Sciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
2 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
3 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
4 $12,684 $5,274 47.0% 54.4%
5 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
6 $13,181 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
7 $13,726 $8,834 56.0% 89.1%
8 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
9 $13,816 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
10 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
11 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
12 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
13 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
14 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
15 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
16 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
17 $16,334 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
18 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
19 $16,928 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
20 $16,931 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
21 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
22 $18,109 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Florida's soil science program so much cheaper than other options?

University of Florida charges just $6,351 net annually compared to the next cheapest option at $6,747 from New Mexico State. As a public land-grant university, UF receives significant state funding for agricultural programs and maintains strong ties to Florida's $130 billion agriculture industry. The university's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences operates research facilities across the state, providing students with hands-on learning opportunities while keeping costs low.

How do graduation rates compare between affordable and expensive soil science programs?

The most affordable programs show surprising variation in graduation rates, with University of Florida achieving 91.5% compared to just 47% at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, despite similar net costs around $6,000-$12,000. Brigham Young University commands both strong graduation rates at 82.2% and moderate costs at $14,487 annually. These differences often reflect institutional support systems rather than program quality, as soil science career outcomes remain consistent across price points.

Where do soil science graduates from these affordable programs typically find employment?

Graduates earning $44,356 to $57,318 annually work for agricultural corporations, environmental consulting firms, and government agencies like the USDA and EPA. Many programs maintain strong regional connections, with University of Idaho graduates serving Pacific Northwest timber companies and New Mexico State alumni working in desert land management. Federal agencies employ about 15% of soil scientists nationally, offering stable careers with competitive benefits packages.

Is there a significant difference between public and private soil science program costs?

Public universities dominate the affordable soil science market, with 13 of the 15 cheapest options being state institutions charging $6,351 to $15,624 annually. Private nonprofit Brigham Young University-Idaho breaks this pattern at $7,131, while its Utah counterpart BYU charges $14,487. The cost advantage of public programs stems from state subsidies and established agricultural research infrastructure that private institutions must build from scratch.

Does acceptance rate affect the quality of affordable soil science education?

Acceptance rates range from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's competitive 30% to BYU-Idaho's accessible 96%, yet both produce graduates earning similar salaries in the $44,000-$57,000 range. University of Florida combines selectivity at 23% acceptance with the lowest net cost at $6,351, while Utah State accepts 94% of applicants for $12,869 annually. Career outcomes depend more on internship opportunities and regional industry connections than admission selectivity.

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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.