Plant Sciences at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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.