Plant Sciences at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NC State's Plant Sciences program delivers exactly what you'd expect from a solid state flagship: competitive earnings with manageable debt. While graduates start at $42,008—slightly below the national median—they're earning above 60% of North Carolina programs in this field, and the debt load of $22,156 is actually lower than the national typical burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 means your child could theoretically pay off their loans in about six months of gross earnings, which is a healthy position.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth to $45,554 by year four, an 8% increase that suggests the degree holds its value in the job market. Keep in mind these are agricultural science careers, where salaries often reflect work in research institutions, government agencies, or agribusiness rather than tech or finance sectors. The moderate sample size means these numbers are reasonably reliable, though not based on hundreds of graduates.

For families looking at in-state tuition at NC State, this program makes financial sense. Your child won't get rich quickly, but they'll graduate with below-average debt and earn competitively within North Carolina's agricultural sector. The combination of manageable financial burden and steady employment prospects makes this a practical choice for students genuinely interested in agricultural science or plant research.