Plant Sciences at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
69
Optimistic
68
Base Case
63
Pessimistic
Earnings $60,443/yr (42% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (103,300 openings/yr)
ROI 22.6x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 50 Plant Sciences programs Top 5%

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 $648K $632K $569K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.2x 22.6x 20.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.6x 8.4x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 68 63

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,920
Out-of-state: $75,440 (8.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,920
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,731
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,715
30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $60,443 put California State University-Fresno's Plant Sciences program 42% above the national median of $42,710 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 22.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 45% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $60,443 far exceeding the $11,731 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #1 out of 50 programs, California State University-Fresno's Plant Sciences program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $60,443 to $78,715 shows 30% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California State University-Fresno

California State University-Fresno accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 21,070 in Fresno, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 56% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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 University-Fresno

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-Fresno's Plant Sciences program score?
This program scores 68/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Plant Sciences graduates.
How vulnerable is Plant Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Plant Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California State University-Fresno rank so high for Plant Sciences?
The #1 ranking out of 50 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →