Plant Sciences at University of Georgia

University of Georgia's Plant Sciences program sits in an unusual position—its graduates earn slightly below the national median for this field ($40,794 versus $42,786), yet they rank at the 60th percentile within Georgia. That apparent contradiction likely reflects the limited competition: only two schools in the state offer this bachelor's degree, and UGA is the only one with outcome data available even in estimated form.

The estimated $20,500 in debt produces a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about half their first-year salary. This mirrors the national median debt for plant sciences programs, suggesting typical borrowing patterns. For context, this debt load translates to monthly payments around $230 on a standard 10-year plan—feasible on a $40,794 salary, though hardly comfortable in the first few years out.

The real question is trajectory. Plant sciences careers often start modestly but can branch into agricultural management, research, or specialized consulting roles that pay considerably more. If your child is genuinely interested in agronomy, horticulture, or crop science—fields where Georgia's agricultural economy offers genuine opportunities—this program provides access at a reasonable price. But if they're viewing this as a general biology degree with better job prospects, have them look hard at where recent graduates actually land before committing.