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2026 Best Plant Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools

2026 Best Plant Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools

Looking for the best Plant Sciences doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 164 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.

To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.

Top 25 Plant Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

No school ranked higher than Cornell University this year in the United States. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical Plant Sciences student debt is $15,990. More on Cornell University

You'll be in good company at South Dakota State University, which ranked #2 this year. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete their Plant Sciences program here. See the full South Dakota State University profile

The strong Plant Sciences programs at Texas A And M University College Station earned it the #3 place in the United States. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $21,654 to complete their Plant Sciences program here. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station

A rank of #4 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the top choices in the United States. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete their Plant Sciences program here. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report

Out of the 164 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Iowa State University landed the #5 spot. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. The median Plant Sciences program debt is $20,500. Get the full Iowa State University report

North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #6 among Plant Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Plant Sciences student debt is $15,750. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

#8

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical Plant Sciences student debt is $21,905. Get the full Kansas State University report

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,911 to complete their Plant Sciences program here. More on Ohio State University Main Campus

Washington State University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. The median Plant Sciences program debt is $17,539. Read more about Washington State University

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. The median Plant Sciences program debt is $22,156. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile

#12

University Of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida did well this year, earning the #12 position. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. The median Plant Sciences program debt is $12,281. Get the full University Of Florida report

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Plant Sciences students take on a median of $20,687 in debt. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. University Of Missouri Columbia Plant Sciences students take on a median of $17,983 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia

University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Davis, CA. University Of California Davis posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. University Of California Davis Plant Sciences students take on a median of $14,404 in debt. See the full University Of California Davis profile

Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Stillwater, OK. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete their Plant Sciences program here. Read more about Oklahoma State University Main Campus

#18

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical Plant Sciences student debt is $24,250. See the full Michigan State University profile

#19

Purdue University Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #19 among Plant Sciences schools in the United States. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. The median Plant Sciences program debt is $19,844. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile

#20

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Plant Sciences schools. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. More on Texas Tech University

#21

University Of Georgia

Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. The median Plant Sciences program debt is $21,792. Read the full report on University Of Georgia

#22

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Plant Sciences schools. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about Auburn University

#23

University Of Delaware

Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. University Of Delaware Plant Sciences students take on a median of $24,336 in debt. Read more about University Of Delaware

University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland College Park Plant Sciences students take on a median of $20,836 in debt. More on University Of Maryland College Park

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $15,391 in student loans. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile

Rest of the Top 50 Best Plant Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:

#26

University Of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas did well this year, earning the #26 position. Set in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical Plant Sciences student debt is $24,019. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas

#27

University Of Wyoming

Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming placed #27 among Plant Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete their Plant Sciences program here. See the full University Of Wyoming profile

#28

Clemson University

Clemson, SC

Clemson University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $21,724 to complete their Plant Sciences program here. Read more about Clemson University

#29

University Of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical Plant Sciences student debt is $24,094. See the full University Of Kentucky profile

#30

The University Of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee did well this year, earning the #30 position. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,564 to complete their Plant Sciences program here. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee

#31

Montana State University

Bozeman, MT

Montana State University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. Montana State University graduates 57% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Montana State University Plant Sciences students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. See the full Montana State University profile

#32

University Of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona placed #32 among Plant Sciences schools in the United States. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. The median Plant Sciences program debt is $21,861. Get the full University Of Arizona report

#33

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. West Virginia University Plant Sciences students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. More on West Virginia University

University Of Connecticut placed #34 among Plant Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. University Of Connecticut Plant Sciences students take on a median of $23,637 in debt. See the full University Of Connecticut profile

#35

Utah State University

Logan, UT

Utah State University placed #35 among Plant Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. Utah State University graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. The median Plant Sciences program debt is $16,191. See the full Utah State University profile

#36

University Of Idaho

Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. University Of Idaho is a public school based in Moscow, ID. University Of Idaho posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. See the full University Of Idaho profile

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. The median Plant Sciences program debt is $19,026. Read more about New Mexico State University Main Campus

#38

University Of Vermont

Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. The median Plant Sciences program debt is $22,607. See the full University Of Vermont profile

#39

University Of Maine

Orono, ME

University Of Maine ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Plant Sciences schools. Located in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete their Plant Sciences program here. More on University Of Maine

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Southeast Missouri State University

University Of Minnesota Crookston landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. See the full University Of Minnesota Crookston profile

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus report

Kishwaukee College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Kishwaukee College

Capital Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Plant Sciences schools. More on Capital Community College

Ridgewater College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. See the full Ridgewater College profile

Shasta College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Get the full Shasta College report

Southwestern Community College Creston did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Southwestern Community College Creston

University Of Nevada Reno placed #48 among Plant Sciences schools in the United States. More on University Of Nevada Reno

Kankakee Community College placed #49 among Plant Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Kankakee Community College

Mt San Antonio College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Plant Sciences schools. Get the full Mt San Antonio College report

See rankings for other degree levels:

Ranking Methodology & Notes

These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 164 ranked schools only.

References

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