Location: Lincoln, NE•In-State Tuition: $10,108•Out-of-State Tuition: $27,748•Admission Rate: 77%•Avg SAT: 1191
Median Earnings (1yr)
$47,716
78th percentile
Median Debt
$21,875
7% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.46 ManageableSample: 69 graduates

Analysis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Plant Sciences program lands graduates in the 78th percentile nationally for earnings—a solid outcome for an ag-focused degree. At $47,716 in year one, graduates earn about $5,000 more than the national median for this field and roughly $5,500 above Nebraska's median. Among the two schools offering this program in Nebraska, UNL is the stronger performer, though it's worth noting that with only two options in-state, this comparison has limited scope.

The debt picture looks reasonable with $21,875 borrowed, translating to a 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. This ratio beats the national debt median for the program, meaning graduates aren't overleveraging to get these better-than-average outcomes. Earnings growth to $52,809 by year four (an 11% increase) suggests decent career progression, likely as graduates gain specialized agricultural expertise that's valued in Nebraska's farm economy.

For a parent whose child is passionate about agriculture and wants to stay in Nebraska, this is a straightforward value proposition. The combination of manageable debt and above-average earnings creates a foundation for financial stability in a field where practical expertise matters more than prestige. The state's strong agricultural sector provides natural career pathways that appear to support steady income growth.

Where University of Nebraska-Lincoln Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all plant sciences bachelors's programs nationally

University of Nebraska-LincolnOther plant sciences programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Nebraska-Lincoln earns $48k — 78th percentile among plant sciences bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Nebraska-Lincoln$47,716$52,809+11%
California State University-Fresno$60,443$70,421+17%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo$63,129$64,619+2%
California State University-Chico$43,944$61,533+40%
Chadron State College$36,558$42,012+15%

Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska

Plant Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (2 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln$10,108$47,716$52,809$21,8750.46
Chadron State CollegeChadron$8,078$36,558$42,012$15,9890.44
National Median—$42,786—$20,5000.48

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with plant sciences graduates

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

$87,980/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Animal Scientists

Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Soil and Plant Scientists

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Conservation Scientists

Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Range Managers

Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Park Naturalists

Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Farm and Home Management Educators

Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Nebraska-Lincoln, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 69 graduates with reported earnings and 58 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.