Plant Sciences at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,152/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (103,300 openings/yr)
ROI 17.0x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 of 50 Plant Sciences programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Plant Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $506K $504K $471K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.0x 17.0x 15.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.5x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,756
Out-of-state: $77,276 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,320
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,375
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,269
11% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $46,152 per year, Plant Sciences graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona earn slightly above the $42,710 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Plant Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Plant Sciences's typical career paths, with 45% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $11,375 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #13 of 50 Plant Sciences programs, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $51,269 are relatively flat compared to the $46,152 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

With 74% of applicants admitted, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 24,271 students in Pomona, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona →

Top Career Paths

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Plant Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Plant Sciences at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Plant Sciences field.
Will AI replace Plant Sciences careers?
With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $471,105 in decade earnings vs $505,800 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →