Botany/Plant Biology at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NC State's Botany/Plant Biology program produces graduates with modest starting salaries—$33,009 one year out—that track exactly with the national median. While this places the program at the 60th percentile among North Carolina plant science degrees, that comparison has limited meaning since NC State is the only institution in the state offering this bachelor's degree. The real story is the debt picture: at $25,000, graduates carry slightly more than the national median yet face a manageable debt load at 76% of first-year earnings.

The $33,000 starting salary reflects the reality of entry-level positions in plant science fields, where research assistant and lab technician roles dominate early career opportunities. For a program at a selective public research university (40% admission rate, 1380 SAT), these earnings are on the lower end, though they're typical for biological science graduates who haven't yet pursued advanced degrees. Many botany graduates continue to master's or doctoral programs, where career trajectories improve substantially.

This program makes sense for students genuinely committed to plant biology as a field, particularly those planning graduate study. The debt burden won't derail their future, but families shouldn't expect immediate financial returns. If your child is exploring biology broadly rather than specifically passionate about plants, consider that related majors might offer more flexible career entry points at similar cost.