Program Analysis
At $43,944/yr, Plant Sciences graduates from California State University-Chico land near the $42,710 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
With a 19.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Plant Sciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $13,826 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #4 of 50 programs, this Plant Sciences program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.
The $43,944-to-$70,548 earnings arc over five years reflects a 61% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.