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Plant Sciences at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $49,048/yr (15% vs median)

AI Risk High (45% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (103,300 openings/yr)

ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #20 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	$525K	$522K	$484K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.1x	12.0x	11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.5x	8.4x	7.8x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	42%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	49	49	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,428

Out-of-state: $62,044 (8.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,336

-50% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $49,048/yr, edging above the $42,710 national average for Plant Sciences — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.0x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

At #20 of 50 Plant Sciences programs, North Dakota State University-Main Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About North Dakota State University-Main Campus

North Dakota State University-Main Campus has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 9,567 in Fargo, ND.

See all programs and financial aid at North Dakota State University-Main Campus →

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

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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 North Dakota State University-Main Campus?

A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Plant Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $484,295 in decade earnings vs $524,931 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →