Plant Sciences at University of Minnesota-Crookston

With a median starting salary of $57,915, this plant sciences program launches graduates at earnings 35% higher than the national median for the field—an impressive outcome that places it in the 95th percentile nationally. The manageable debt load of $23,793 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.41, meaning graduates earn more than twice what they owe. Within Minnesota, where this ranks in the 60th percentile, it's a solid middle-tier option, though the state's highest earner (University of Minnesota-Twin Cities) actually shows lower initial earnings at $35,216.

The concerning piece is the earnings trajectory: salaries decline 5% to $54,901 by year four, suggesting graduates may face limited advancement in their initial roles or that first-year earnings include temporary factors. However, even with this dip, graduates still earn substantially above both national and state medians. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary significantly from these numbers, and a single high or low earner could skew the results.

For parents of students genuinely interested in agricultural sciences, this program offers strong immediate earnings potential with debt that won't be crushing. Just understand that rapid career growth may not be built into the field itself—that strong starting salary might represent the baseline rather than the beginning of a steep climb.