Plant Sciences at Cornell University

Cornell's Plant Sciences program produces surprisingly modest early earnings for an Ivy League degree—$32,236 in the first year puts graduates in just the 5th percentile nationally for this major. To put that in perspective, the typical plant sciences graduate nationwide earns $42,786, about 33% more. However, the state comparison tells a more nuanced story: this actually represents the median for New York's limited plant sciences programs, suggesting regional market conditions may constrain all graduates in this field locally.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $15,990, graduates carry manageable loans that represent just half their first-year earnings—well below the national median of $20,500 for this program. Earnings do grow substantially, reaching $40,438 by year four, a 25% increase that narrows (but doesn't close) the gap with national benchmarks. Given Cornell's 8% admission rate and prestigious reputation, families might reasonably expect stronger initial returns.

The critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, making these figures potentially volatile year-to-year. For families banking on Cornell's brand to deliver higher earnings, this program's outcomes should prompt serious questions about career pathways. If your child is passionate about plant sciences and Cornell specifically, ensure they have a clear plan for graduate education or specialized roles that command higher salaries, because the bachelor's degree alone isn't delivering the premium Cornell's name might suggest.