Plant Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University

Looking at MTSU's plant sciences program, the most troubling signal isn't the debt—it's the negative earnings trajectory. First-year graduates earn $37,716, but by year four that figure actually drops to $36,206. While the estimated $20,500 in debt (based on national medians for similar programs) appears manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, you're essentially financing entry into a career path where earnings stall or decline in the crucial early years when most graduates expect progression.

The earnings picture itself is mediocre rather than catastrophic. MTSU graduates land at the 40th percentile among Tennessee's two plant sciences programs—below UT-Knoxville's $40,355 but still within striking distance of the state median. Nationally, though, the program sits at just the 29th percentile, with typical programs producing $42,786 in first-year earnings. That $5,000 gap might not sound dramatic, but combined with backward earnings growth, it suggests graduates may be finding work in lower-tier agricultural positions without clear advancement paths.

The practical reality: if your student is passionate about plant sciences and willing to accept modest, stagnant earnings in their twenties, the debt burden won't be crushing. But this field requires either graduate education for better opportunities or exceptional networking to break into higher-paying agribusiness roles. Make sure they understand they're likely looking at sub-$40,000 earnings for several years after graduation, and pressure-test whether that aligns with their lifestyle expectations and other financial obligations.