Plant Sciences at Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Texas A&M-Kingsville's Plant Sciences program starts graduates at $35K—well below both the national median ($43K) and Texas median ($40K). While it lands at the 40th percentile among Texas programs, that's partly because the state has only seven offerings, and the flagship College Station campus pays significantly more at $45K. The bright spot here is genuine career growth: earnings jump 30% to $45K by year four, eventually matching stronger programs' starting salaries.

The $21,000 debt load is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.60 ratio to first-year earnings. For students who already live in South Texas or want to stay in the region, this becomes a calculated trade—lower starting pay in exchange for minimal debt and steady career progression. The university serves a majority first-generation and Pell-eligible population, so the accessibility matters.

The major caveat is sample size: fewer than 30 recent graduates means these numbers could swing considerably year to year. If your student is committed to agricultural sciences and drawn to Kingsville's location or campus community, the debt burden won't derail them. But anyone with the stats for College Station should seriously consider the flagship, where starting salaries begin nearly $10K higher. This works best for students prioritizing affordability and regional employment over maximizing initial earnings.