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Best Value Plant Sciences Colleges in California

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

California State University-Fresno produces Plant Sciences graduates earning $50,606 annually while charging just $6,480 in net costs, creating the state's strongest return on investment for agricultural studies. This advantage matters in California's $50 billion agricultural economy, where the Central Valley alone produces over 230 crop varieties. The $10,127 gap between the most and least expensive programs shows how location dramatically affects educational costs, with earnings varying by nearly $25,000 across the seven institutions.
7
Programs
$6,480 – $16,607
Net Price Range
$39,683
Avg. Program Earnings
68.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Plant Sciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,480 $50,606 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
2 $14,838 $45,181 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
3 $13,167 $39,927 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
4 $11,580 $33,993 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
5 $15,624 $44,869 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
6 $15,288 $36,852 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
7 $16,607 $26,353 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CSU-Fresno such a strong value for Plant Sciences students?

CSU-Fresno combines the lowest net cost at $6,480 with the highest graduate earnings at $50,606, delivering strong financial returns. The university sits in California's agricultural heartland, providing direct access to internships and jobs with major growers and agricultural technology companies.

How do graduation rates compare across California's Plant Sciences programs?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo leads with an 85.2% graduation rate, followed closely by UC Davis at 85.1%. These top-performing schools contrast sharply with Cal Poly Humboldt's 46.6% rate, showing how institutional support affects student success in agricultural sciences.

Where do Plant Sciences graduates find the best job opportunities in California?

California's $50 billion agricultural industry spans from the Central Valley's crop production to biotech companies developing plant genetics in the Bay Area. Major employers include Wonderful Company, Driscoll's, and agricultural technology firms that value graduates with both traditional farming knowledge and modern scientific training.

More Plant Sciences Rankings

Cheapest Plant Sciences in California Plant Sciences Under $20,000 in California

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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.