Plant Sciences at Washington State University

Washington State University's Plant Sciences program reports first-year earnings of $47,531—above the national median of $42,786 and landing in the 76th percentile nationally. That's a solid start for an agricultural science degree. The $17,539 median debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than five months of gross earnings. That's well below the concerning 1.0 threshold where debt equals a full year's salary.

The catch? This data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. As the only school in Washington offering this specific bachelor's degree, there's no in-state comparison to gauge consistency. The state percentile ranking of 60th appears to be a statistical artifact of the single-program pool rather than a meaningful benchmark.

For families considering this program, the fundamentals look reasonable: manageable debt paired with above-average starting earnings in a field with clear career pathways in agriculture, research, and environmental management. Just recognize that with WSU's accessible 85% admission rate and the program's small cohort size, individual outcomes may vary more than typical. If your student is genuinely interested in plant sciences and comfortable with WSU's Pullman location, the financial risk appears limited.