Only 41 colleges in the country offer Soil Sciences, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $62,122.
This page covers Soil Sciences as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Agriculture and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Soil Sciences is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $62,122 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 41 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 439 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$50,408
Median Earnings · 4yr
$62,122
Colleges Offering
41
Graduates / Year
439
Avg Net Price / yr
$15,592
How Much Do Soil Sciences Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Soil Sciences, a typical graduate earns $62,122, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $49,335 and $87,382, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$62,122
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$64,858
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Soil Sciences graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
$49,33525th pct.
$62,122Median
$87,38275th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $62,122 against an estimated $62,368 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 26 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 439 students who complete Soil Sciences programs each year, the majority (49%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
49%28%
Bachelor's49%
Master's28%
Doctorate14%
What Can You Do With a Soil Sciences Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Soil Sciences graduates show up in 4 different occupations, and Agricultural Sciences Teachers pay the most at $98,700/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.
Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
Top Colleges for Soil Sciences
Not sure where to study Soil Sciences? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Soil Sciences graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Agriculture Programs
Soil Sciences is not the only path through Agriculture: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Soil Sciences program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Soil Sciences shows 2 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $62,122 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +6.7% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Limited program availabilityOnly 41 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Soil Sciences Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Soil Sciences graduates earn?
$62,122 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $49,335 and $87,382, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Soil Sciences degree?
$50,408 in the first year out. That grows to $62,122 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Soil Sciences degree?
Agricultural Sciences Teachers are one path, and it pays a median of $98,700 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Soil Sciences program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Soil Sciences bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Soil Sciences?
41 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Soil Sciences degree worth it?
$62,122 median earnings four years out against $15,592 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Soil Sciences and Agriculture?
Soil Sciences is the narrower of the two: Agriculture covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Soil Sciences-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Soil Sciences graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Soil Sciences graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Soil Sciences graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $62,122, graduate study in Soil Sciences tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Soil Sciences graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +5.3% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Soil and Plant Scientists are among the strongest-growth roles at +6.7%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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