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Research soil scientist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a research soil scientist. Research soil scientists usually study soil science, environmental science, or plant sciences. 70% of research soil scientists hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 44 real research soil scientist resumes to see exactly what research soil scientist education sections show.

The most common colleges for research soil scientists are the University of Kentucky and the University of Kentucky.

There are also many online research soil scientist courses to help get the education required to be a research soil scientist.

What education do you need to become a research soil scientist?

What degree do you need to be a research soil scientist?

The most common degree for research soil scientists is bachelor's degree, with 70% of research soil scientists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are doctoral degree degree at 11% and doctoral degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 70%
  • Doctorate, 11%
  • Master's, 11%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a research soil scientist?

You should major in soil science to become a research soil scientist. 19% of research soil scientists major in soil science. Other common majors for a research soil scientist include environmental science and plant sciences.

Most common colleges for research soil scientists

Research soil scientists often get their degrees at University of Kentucky, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, and New Mexico State University. Here are the most common colleges for research soil scientists in the US based on their resumes.
Research soil scientist common collegePercentages
University of Kentucky10.53%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo10.53%
New Mexico State University5.26%
Colorado State University5.26%
University of Southern California5.26%

Best majors for research soil scientists

RankMajorPercentages
1Soil Science19.4%
2Environmental Science12.9%
3Plant Sciences12.9%
4Botany6.5%
5Biology6.5%

Best colleges for research soil scientists

The best colleges for research soil scientists are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Cornell University.

A research soil scientist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for research soil scientists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become research soil scientists.

1. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

2. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

3. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

4. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

6. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

7. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

8. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

9. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

20 best online courses for research soil scientists

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1. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics

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If you’ve ever skipped over the results section of a medical paper because terms like “confidence interval” or “p-value” go over your head, then you’re in the right place. You may be a clinical practitioner reading research articles to keep up-to-date with developments in your field or a medical student wondering how to approach your own research. Greater confidence in understanding statistical analysis and the results can benefit both working professionals and those undertaking research...

2. Market Research

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"Finding the Story in the Data” is the most important emerging capability for market researchers according to GRIT (Greenbook Research Industry Trends) Report 2016. This specialization, designed for learners with no previous Marketing Research experience teaches a comprehensive marketing research approach that will help learners find and communicate the story in the data.\n\nStudents will learn how to initiate a research project for targeted business needs, conduct research through multiple...

3. Research Methodology

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4. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint

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Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...

5. Uncertainty and Research

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This course teaches the fundamentals of scientific research. We approach the research process as a means of systematically reducing uncertainty and demonstrate how conducting a scientific investigation can be posed as an exercise in Bayesian uncertainty quantification. We begin by exploring the scientific landscape to understand the different types of research, where they are conducted, how they are supported, and why each of these types of research is important. We then formalize scientific...

6. How to Visualize Research Data in Tableau

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Publishing research often requires the preparation of visual elements like charts, tables, and graphs to better explain the text in a research report. Creating these elements can be done easily and effectively in Tableau. Using Tableau, large and small data sets can be visualized with precision, creativity, interactivity, and options in Tableau. After taking this course learners will know how to create a table, a geovisualization, and a pie chart. Three of the most common research...

7. Research Methods and Statistics: An Introduction (2023 Ed.)

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A Primer in Research Methodology and Statistics in the Social Sciences (2023 Edition)...

8. An Introduction to Online Quantitative Market Research

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Learn how to effectively conceptualise, design, execute and apply quantitative online research like a PRO!...

9. Market Research

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The Market Research Specialisation focuses on the essentials of research and the research process. This Specialisation will teach you how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, how to develop and manage a questionnaire development strategy, how to develop measurements, how to collect data and how to analyze and present them.\n\nOnce you have completed this Specialisation, you will have a good understanding of market research including:\n\nEssentials of market research Components...

10. Qualitative Research

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In this course, the second in the Market Research Specialization, you will go in-depth with qualitative market research methods, from design to implementation to analysis. Week 1: Define qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative research. Explore the various qualitative research methods and evaluate when and how to use them for your research project. Week 2: Design the qualitative instruments necessary for your interviews or focus groups, and plan your recruitment efforts. Write...

11. Research Methods For Business Students

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12. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course

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Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...

13. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

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Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...

14. Marketing Research: support your marketing decisions

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15. How to Write an Effective Research Paper

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16. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research

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The Essentials of Clinical Trials - Clinical Research for Beginners...

17. Global Marketing Research and Analytics

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Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...

18. SPSS For Research

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19. How to Write a Successful Research Paper

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Complete Research Paper Writing Blueprint With Instructions And Templates For Every Section. Master Academic Writing...

20. Clinical Research for beginners

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The Art of Publishing - Master Pub Med, Study design, Biostatistics, Journal choice, Manuscript writing & Referencing...

Top 10 most affordable universities for research soil scientists

The most affordable schools for research soil scientists are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and california state university - fullerton.

If the best universities for research soil scientists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for research soil scientists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

10. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for research soil scientists

The hardest universities for research soil scientists to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Cornell University.

Some great schools for research soil scientists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for research soil scientists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

8. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for research soil scientists

The easiest schools for research soil scientists to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, gwynedd mercy university, and curry college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a research soil scientist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for research soil scientists.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

3. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

4. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

7. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

8. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

10. Clarke University

Dubuque, IA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

1,058

Average research soil scientist salary by education level

According to our data, research soil scientists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $75,835 annually. Research soil scientists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $69,000.
Research soil scientist education levelResearch soil scientist salary
Master's Degree$75,835
Bachelor's Degree$69,000

Research soil scientist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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