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Soil specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a soil specialist. Soil specialists usually study plant sciences, geology, or soil science. 73% of soil specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 30 real soil specialist resumes to see exactly what soil specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for soil specialists are the Washington and Lee University and the Washington and Lee University.
There are also many online soil specialist courses to help get the education required to be a soil specialist.
What education do you need to become a soil specialist?
What degree do you need to be a soil specialist?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Associate, 14%
- Master's, 9%
- Doctorate, 5%
What should I major in to become a soil specialist?
- Plant Sciences, 16%
- Geology, 12%
- Soil Science, 8%
- Economics, 8%
- Other Majors, 56%
Most common colleges for soil specialists
| Soil specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Washington and Lee University | 12.50% |
| San Jose State University | 12.50% |
| Auburn University Main Campus | 6.25% |
| University of Northern Iowa | 6.25% |
| University of Connecticut | 6.25% |
Best majors for soil specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plant Sciences | 16.0% |
| 2 | Geology | 12.0% |
| 3 | Soil Science | 8.0% |
| 4 | Economics | 8.0% |
| 5 | Civil Engineering | 8.0% |
Best colleges for soil specialists
The best colleges for soil specialists are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
A soil specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for soil specialists. 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 soil specialists.
1. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
2. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
5. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
6. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
7. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
8. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
20 best online courses for soil specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Population, Food, and Soil
This course explores the population-environment relationship. In this course, you will learn about the human population and the ways in which changes in the population affect the environment. Agriculture, soils, and the environmental implications of eating meat, vegetables, local, organic, sustainable, industrial, and other types of food are discussed too. We explore questions such as: 1. How many people live on Earth right now? 2. What is the carrying capacity of Earth? 3. What is the...
2. Education on climate change: water and soil
This course delves into the connection between water, climate change, and how living organisms adapt to these shifts. It also explores concepts related to agriculture, food, and food sovereignty. Additionally, it introduces a range of online games that enhance the integration and practical application of the developing conceptual knowledge...
3. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics
A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...
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6. Sports Turf Management: Best Practices
The Sports Turf Management: Best Practices course will cover the construction, management, and challenges in maintaining athletic fields intended for football, soccer, and baseball. You will learn the fundamental management practices for maintaining athletic fields, such as fertilization, irrigation, mowing, and pest control. An overview of athletic field construction, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of native soil versus modified soil fields, will be provided. Lastly, you will...
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20. Value Stream Mapping Masterclass: Become a VSM Specialist
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Top 10 most affordable universities for soil specialists
The most affordable schools for soil specialists are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for soil specialists 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 soil specialists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for soil specialists
The hardest universities for soil specialists to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for soil specialists 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 soil specialists 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for soil specialists
The easiest schools for soil specialists to get into are Wayland Baptist University, curry college, and thomas more university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a soil specialist 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 soil specialists.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
3. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
6. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
7. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
8. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
9. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
10. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
Average soil specialist salary by education level
| Soil specialist education level | Soil specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $46,267 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $41,683 |
| Doctorate Degree | $54,608 |
Soil specialist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025