Plant Sciences at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,397/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (103,300 openings/yr)
ROI 10.4x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #30 of 50 Plant Sciences programs

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 $529K $526K $487K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.5x 10.4x 9.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,376
Out-of-state: $139,776 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,888
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,005
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,355
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,397/yr, roughly in line with the $42,710 national median for Plant Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 10.4x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,005 debt-to-$38,397 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #30 out of 50 programs, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's financial outcomes for Plant Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $38,397 to $53,355 shows 39% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

A 68% admission rate makes Oregon State University-Cascades Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 1,054 in Bend, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State University-Cascades 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

Other Majors at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's Plant Sciences program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Plant Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →