Plant Sciences at Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State's plant sciences program punches above its weight nationally but falls in the middle of Missouri's pack. First-year earnings of $47,170 land graduates in the 74th percentile nationally—well above the typical $42,786 for plant sciences programs. However, within Missouri, where agricultural programs are strong, it ranks at the 60th percentile, trailing Southeast Missouri State but significantly ahead of Missouri State-Springfield.

The debt picture looks particularly attractive: $23,818 represents the 10th percentile nationally, meaning 90% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt. This translates to a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio—graduates earn roughly twice what they owe. The 24% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests real career progression, with median pay reaching nearly $58,500.

The significant caveat here is sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, a few outliers could skew these numbers substantially. That said, the combination of below-average debt and above-average starting pay creates cushion even if actual outcomes vary. For students committed to plant sciences and comfortable at a regional campus, this represents solid preparation at a reasonable cost—just don't treat these exact figures as gospel given the limited data.