Plant Sciences at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Oregon State's Cascades Campus delivers one of the best debt outcomes in the nation for plant sciences—graduates leave with just $25,096 in debt, placing this program in the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt). The first-year earnings of $38,397 translate to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65, well below the threshold where loan payments become burdensome. Within four years, earnings climb to $44,549, showing steady 16% growth that suggests graduates are establishing stable career trajectories.

The earnings picture requires context: while this program sits at just the 32nd percentile nationally, it's actually at the 60th percentile among Oregon's plant sciences programs. Oregon State appears to have two campuses offering this degree, both with identical outcomes, which likely means students can choose their preferred location without sacrificing results. The below-national earnings largely reflect Oregon's agricultural wage structure rather than program quality—$38,397 might be modest by coastal tech standards, but it goes further in Bend's regional economy.

For students genuinely interested in plant sciences and planning to stay in the Pacific Northwest, this represents a low-risk investment. The combination of minimal debt and steady earnings growth means graduates won't spend years climbing out from under loans. Just understand you're choosing a field where the work matters more than the paycheck.