2026 Best Value Botany Plant Biology Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Botany Plant Biology master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 76 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Botany Plant Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is North Dakota State University Main Campus, our #1 best-value Botany Plant Biology school in the United States. Set in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $25,153. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,203. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
Out of the 76 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $21,813 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #3 place in the United States. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,880. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%. Read the full report on University Of Wyoming
Arizona State University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Botany Plant Biology ranking in the United States. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Arizona State University Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $21,842 in debt. Arizona State University alumni report median earnings of $62,668 a decade after entry. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. More on Arizona State University
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #5 on this year's best-value Botany Plant Biology ranking in the United States. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $24,546. Median earnings reach $52,581 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Ohio University Main Campus
Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $19,844. Median earnings reach $72,424 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 50%. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
Cornell University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Typical Botany Plant Biology student debt is $15,005. Graduates go on to earn a median of $104,043 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. Cornell University has an acceptance rate of 9%. See the full Cornell University profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,758 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of California Berkeley ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical Botany Plant Biology student debt is $14,238. Median earnings reach $92,446 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
University Of California Davis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Median earnings reach $80,838 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants. See the full University Of California Davis profile
University Of Arkansas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. University Of Arkansas is a public school based in Fayetteville, AR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. University Of Arkansas alumni report median earnings of $58,191 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas has an acceptance rate of 74%. See the full University Of Arkansas profile
Michigan State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical Botany Plant Biology student debt is $25,213. Michigan State University alumni report median earnings of $67,253 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Michigan State University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Based in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus alumni report median earnings of $63,126 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus has an acceptance rate of 77%. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
Kansas State University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Kansas State University Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $23,546 in debt. Kansas State University alumni report median earnings of $57,262 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Kansas State University
Washington State University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. Median earnings reach $68,905 ten years out. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. More on Washington State University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $69,020. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Median earnings reach $72,097 ten years out. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
Mississippi State University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Mississippi State University is a public school based in Mississippi State, MS. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical Botany Plant Biology student debt is $23,969. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,513 ten years after entry. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Mississippi State University profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Located in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $22,337. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,413 ten years after entry. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 75%. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
University Of Florida landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. University Of Florida Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $17,669 in debt. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants. More on University Of Florida
University Of Georgia ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. This public school is set in Athens, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. University Of Georgia alumni report median earnings of $68,726 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $19,026. Median earnings reach $39,067 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants. Get the full New Mexico State University Main Campus report
Iowa State University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $18,950. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $18,950 median debt. Iowa State University has an acceptance rate of 89%. Get the full Iowa State University report
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Median earnings reach $60,543 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Colorado State University Fort Collins
Northwestern University landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $16,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,363 ten years after entry. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted. See the full Northwestern University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Botany Plant Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Ohio State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Ohio State University Main Campus Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $22,053 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,409. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Located in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants. See the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale profile
Miami University Oxford placed #29 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. Based in Oxford, OH, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $24,177 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. Median earnings reach $55,076 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Miami University Oxford report
Oregon State University placed #30 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. Based in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Oregon State University Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $24,043 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Oregon State University report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #31 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $20,778. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of California Riverside came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. University Of California Riverside is a public school based in Riverside, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,699. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants. More on University Of California Riverside
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Set in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical Botany Plant Biology student debt is $20,577. University Of Hawaii At Manoa alumni report median earnings of $57,624 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants. Get the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa report
University Of Kentucky came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Median earnings reach $59,025 ten years out. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky has an acceptance rate of 93%. Read more about University Of Kentucky
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public school based in Baton Rouge, LA. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,251 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College has an acceptance rate of 73%. More on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Alamance Community College placed #35 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Alamance Community College
Ohio University Southern Campus ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. More on Ohio University Southern Campus
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #39 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Bennington College placed #40 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. See the full Bennington College profile
University Of California Irvine offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
University Of Vermont offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about University Of Vermont
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Kent State University At Kent landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Kent State University At Kent
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #45 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. More on University Of Arizona
Humboldt State University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Humboldt State University
Southern Oregon University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. More on Southern Oregon University
Union University
Union University came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Union University report
University Of Maine came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Maine
Related Botany Plant Biology Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Botany Plant Biology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Botany Plant Biology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Botany Plant Biology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Botany Plant Biology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Botany Plant Biology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Botany Plant Biology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Botany Plant Biology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 76 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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