Botany Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Scientific study of plants including their physiology, structure, genetics, and ecology.
Starting Salary
$52K
median
Mid-Career
$75K
salary
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4%
rate
Botany Overview
Scientific study of plants including their physiology, structure, genetics, and ecology.
Category
Science
Degree Level
Bachelor's/Master's
Graduation Rate
78%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
5%
Lifetime Premium
$150K
Female Graduates
60%
Botany Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,750
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,750
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$134,250
Lifetime earnings premium ($150,000) minus net degree cost ($15,750)
Botany Salary Progression
Common Botany Careers
Botanist
Plant Geneticist
Conservation Biologist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Botany
#1
UC Davis
#2
Cornell
#3
University of Wisconsin
#4
Oregon State
#5
University of Florida
Botany Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
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