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Best Value Soil Sciences Colleges

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

Brigham Young University-Idaho delivers the most surprising return in soil sciences education, with graduates earning $57,318 annually while paying just $7,131 net cost. This creates an earnings-to-cost ratio that outpaces every other program in the field. Meanwhile, New Mexico State offers the lowest net price at $6,747, though earnings data remains unavailable. The field connects strongly to the Mountain West agricultural economy, where federal land management agencies and mining operations drive consistent demand for soil specialists. Public universities dominate this space, with 13 of the top 15 programs housed at state institutions. Graduation rates span from 47% at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez to 89.3% at Wisconsin-Madison, reflecting varying academic support systems. Texas A&M produces graduates earning $32,569 despite an 83.8% completion rate, while Wisconsin-Stevens Point graduates command $47,260 with lower debt loads averaging $21,985.
27
Programs
$6,351 – $32,977
Net Price Range
$43,329
Avg. Program Earnings
71.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

27 Soil Sciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,131 $57,318 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
2 $13,726 $47,260 $8,834 56.0% 89.1%
3 $16,177 $44,356 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
4 $20,332 $42,682 $12,896 66.9% 90.8%
5 $18,109 $37,928 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
6 $20,751 $41,193 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
7 $20,924 $32,569 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
8 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
9 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
10 $12,684 $5,274 47.0% 54.4%
11 $16,928 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
12 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
13 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
14 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
15 $22,112 $15,554 87.9% 43.0%
16 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
17 $16,334 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
18 $16,931 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
19 $32,977 $23,440 57.1% 29.7%
20 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
21 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
22 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
23 $13,181 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
24 $13,816 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
25 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
26 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
27 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $24,749 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying soil sciences programs?

Brigham Young University-Idaho graduates earn $57,318 compared to $32,569 at Texas A&M, reflecting regional job market differences and industry connections. Idaho's program benefits from proximity to federal land management positions and mining operations that pay premium salaries. Geographic location plays a major role, as Mountain West states often offer higher compensation for natural resource professionals. Program specializations also influence outcomes, with some schools emphasizing agricultural applications while others focus on environmental remediation.

How do private nonprofit soil sciences programs compare to public options on cost?

Brigham Young University charges $6,496 in tuition but nets $14,487 after aid, while BYU-Idaho costs $7,131 net despite $4,656 tuition. Public schools like New Mexico State ($6,747) and Wisconsin-Stevens Point ($13,726) often provide lower net costs. However, the two BYU programs demonstrate that private institutions can compete on affordability through substantial financial aid packages. Public in-state tuition averages around $10,000-$13,000 across most programs.

Is there a correlation between graduation rates and program selectivity in soil sciences?

Wisconsin-Madison combines a 49% acceptance rate with an 89.3% graduation rate, showing how selectivity supports completion. Clemson follows a similar pattern with 43% acceptance and 87.9% graduation rate. However, BYU-Idaho accepts 95.6% of applicants yet maintains a respectable 55.1% graduation rate, proving that high acceptance doesn't guarantee poor outcomes. The most selective programs tend to have stronger academic support systems that help students complete degrees.

Does student debt vary significantly across soil sciences programs?

Available debt data shows considerable variation, from $16,500 at Colorado State to $22,798 at Tennessee-Knoxville. Wisconsin-Stevens Point graduates carry $21,985 in debt but earn $47,260, creating a manageable debt-to-income ratio. Michigan State students graduate with $19,500 in debt and $41,193 earnings, also maintaining reasonable financial outcomes. Most programs with reported debt data keep borrowing under $23,000, reflecting the practical nature of soil sciences education.

Where do soil sciences graduates find the best earning potential relative to education costs?

BYU-Idaho offers the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio, with $57,318 salaries against $7,131 net costs. Wisconsin-Stevens Point provides solid value at $47,260 earnings for $13,726 net cost, plus graduates manage reasonable $21,985 debt loads. Colorado State delivers $42,682 salaries for $20,332 net cost with only $16,500 in debt. These programs balance affordable education with access to high-paying regional job markets in agriculture and natural resources.

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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.