2026 Best Value Botany Plant Biology Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Botany Plant Biology doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 76 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree reviewed 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found North Dakota State University Main Campus to be the best-value Botany Plant Biology school in the United States. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. North Dakota State University Main Campus Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $25,153 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,203. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $21,813. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,792. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
University Of California Berkeley came in at #3 on this year's best-value Botany Plant Biology ranking in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,446 ten years after entry. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 11% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of California Berkeley
You'll get strong value at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. Median earnings reach $56,887 ten years out. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Austin, TX. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $21,275 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,121 ten years after entry. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,758 ten years after entry. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 42%. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Ohio University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $24,546. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,581. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Ohio University Main Campus
Cornell University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $104,043. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University has an acceptance rate of 9%. More on Cornell University
Washington State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical Botany Plant Biology student debt is $21,903. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,905 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants. Get the full Washington State University report
Iowa State University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $18,950 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,386 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,950 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants. Read the full report on Iowa State University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,020 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $23,138 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,126 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants. Read more about University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University Of Arkansas ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. University Of Arkansas is a public school based in Fayetteville, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Typical Botany Plant Biology student debt is $24,019. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,191. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. About 74% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Arkansas profile
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. This public school is set in College Station, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $20,031. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,097. 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
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school based in Stillwater, OK. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical Botany Plant Biology student debt is $22,337. Median earnings reach $57,413 ten years out. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $23,393. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University alumni report median earnings of $81,698 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of California Davis placed #17 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. University Of California Davis alumni report median earnings of $80,838 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%. Read more about University Of California Davis
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in Athens, GA. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,726. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. See the full University Of Georgia profile
University Of Florida came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Botany Plant Biology student debt is $17,669. 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. Read the full report on University Of Florida
Purdue University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Mississippi State University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Mississippi State University is a public school based in Mississippi State, MS. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Mississippi State University Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $23,969 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. See the full Mississippi State University profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,631 ten years after entry. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
University Of California Riverside came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Set in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside has an acceptance rate of 76%. Get the full University Of California Riverside report
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Rutgers University New Brunswick Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $25,120 in debt. Median earnings reach $74,479 ten years out. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 58% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Botany Plant Biology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #25 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete their Botany Plant Biology program here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign alumni report median earnings of $81,054 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Michigan State University landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Michigan State University Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $25,213 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,253. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Michigan State University report
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fort Collins, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,543. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins has an acceptance rate of 88%. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
Oregon State University placed #29 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. Oregon State University is a public school based in Corvallis, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $24,043. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,010 ten years after entry. Set against $24,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. More on Oregon State University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #30 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Carbondale, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Southern Illinois University Carbondale Botany Plant Biology students take on a median of $23,730 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale report
University Of Kentucky came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Lexington, KY. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 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. Graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College alumni report median earnings of $61,251 a decade 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%. Read the full report on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Based in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. The median Botany Plant Biology program debt is $20,577. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,624. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Manoa
University Of Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,979. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Arizona
Washington University In St Louis offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $86,182 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Northwestern University came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Typical Botany Plant Biology student debt is $16,616. Median earnings reach $89,363 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University has an acceptance rate of 8%. See the full Northwestern University profile
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full New Mexico State University Main Campus report
Ohio University Lancaster Campus landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Ohio University Lancaster Campus
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full Ohio University Chillicothe Campus profile
Cerritos College
Cerritos College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read the full report on Cerritos College
Bennington College placed #41 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. More on Bennington College
California State University Chico placed #42 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. See the full California State University Chico profile
Union University
Union University landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Union University
Ohio University Eastern Campus placed #44 among the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools in the United States. More on Ohio University Eastern Campus
Snow College
Snow College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. See the full Snow College profile
University Of Vermont came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Vermont
Kent State University At Kent came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Kent State University At Kent report
University Of California Irvine ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Botany Plant Biology schools. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
University Of Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about University Of Maine
Weber State University offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about Weber State University
Related Botany Plant Biology Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at 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 Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (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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