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Plant Sciences at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,411/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (103,300 openings/yr)
ROI 9.3x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 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 $605K $594K $540K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.5x 9.3x 8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.3x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,016
Out-of-state: $138,004 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,804
5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,750
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,313
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Plant Sciences graduates start at $45,411/yr — above the $42,710 national average, though not by a wide margin.

A 9.3x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Plant Sciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,750 in median debt clears quickly against $45,411 in annual earnings.

A #15 ranking among 50 Plant Sciences programs places University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 48% earnings increase from $45,411 to $67,313 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's 44% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 34,623 students in Champaign, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign →

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

Compare this program → View all 50 schools offering Plant Sciences →

Plant Sciences at Other Schools

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($63,129) California State University-Fresno ($60,443) South Dakota State University ($58,787) University of Minnesota-Crookston ($57,915) Kansas State University ($50,115) Arkansas State University ($49,536) Iowa State University ($49,393) North Dakota State University-Main Campus ($49,048)

Other Majors at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Computer Science ($124,530) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($113,503) Mathematics and Computer Science ($109,843) Computer Engineering ($103,123) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($86,483) Systems Engineering ($81,785) Nuclear Engineering ($81,134) Mechanical Engineering ($80,187)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Plant Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 53/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Plant Sciences at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
At 53/100, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Plant Sciences program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Plant Sciences at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →