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Plant Sciences at Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $48,546/yr (14% vs median)

AI Risk High (45% exposed)

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

ROI 14.3x earnings multiple

Ranked #8 of 50 Plant Sciences programs Top 25%

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	$548K	$542K	$500K
Earnings Multiple	14.4x	14.3x	13.2x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	42%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	58	57	51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$37,984

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,128

-53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,355

4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$59,143

22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Southeast Missouri State University's Plant Sciences graduates start at $48,546/yr — above the $42,710 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.3x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,355 in median debt clears quickly against $48,546 in annual earnings.

At #8 of 50 nationally, this is a top-5% Plant Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $48,546 to $59,143 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Southeast Missouri State University

A 78% acceptance rate means Southeast Missouri State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 6,588 in Cape Girardeau, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Southeast Missouri State University →

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 Southeast Missouri State University

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Plant Sciences at Southeast Missouri State University?

A score of 57/100 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 $500,267 in decade earnings vs $548,094 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Southeast Missouri State University's Plant Sciences program stand out?

Ranked #8 of 50 programs nationally, Southeast Missouri State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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