Best institutions to study Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
Compare 226 U.S. colleges offering Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 45 states.
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services programs report a median of $41,341 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 01.06 and the Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation occupation (BLS SOC).
About Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services programs
The Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services program focuses on the science and business aspects of horticulture, preparing students for various roles in the field. This program is ideal for those interested in working with plants, landscapes, and horticultural operations, offering a blend of practical and theoretical knowledge essential for success in this growing industry.
Learn more about Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services →
Students in this program will develop core skills in areas such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers essential knowledge in customer service, biology, and management, equipping students with the tools needed for various horticultural tasks and operations.
Top 18 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,005 | 19 | 67% | — | — |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,872 | 34 | 86% | — | $26,925 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,872 | 47 | 34% | — | $26,925 |
| 4 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,375 | 12 | 56% | $25,402 | $26,000 |
| 5 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,439 | 21 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 6 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,289 | 6 | 67% | — | $24,998 |
| 7 | Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,751 | 18 | 36% | — | $25,000 |
| 8 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Certificate degree | $42,513 | 29 | 81% | — | $13,722 |
| 9 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,341 | 73 | 84% | — | $18,422 |
| 10 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Associate degree | $38,339 | 19 | 85% | — | $14,375 |
| 11 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA Public · Associate degree | $35,900 | 34 | 43% | — | $11,000 |
| 12 | Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute Wooster, OH Public · Associate degree | $34,190 | 14 | 43% | — | $12,000 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · Associate degree | $30,185 | 16 | 53% | — | $12,000 |
| 14 | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg, SC Public · Associate degree | $29,260 | 43 | 28% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,241 | 20 | 71% | — | — |
| 16 | Front Range Community College Westminster, CO Public · Certificate degree | $28,703 | 43 | 35% | — | $14,000 |
| 17 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,238 | 63 | 55% | $6,760 | $12,749 |
| 18 | Lake Land College Mattoon, IL Public · Certificate degree | $7,972 | 383 | 58% | — | $8,142 |
Offered across 45 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 37-3012, Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Applied Horticulture program can pursue careers in various horticultural sectors, with an outlook showing a growth rate of 3.8% and approximately 4,100 annual job openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $45,200, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 01.06.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 01.06 (Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services) maps to 9 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9013 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers |
| 25-1041 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-9021 | Farm and Home Management Educators |
| 37-1012 | First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers |
| 37-3011 | Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers |
| 37-3012 | Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetationprimary |
| 41-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers |
| 45-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers |
| 45-4011 | Forest and Conservation Workers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops.
- Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
- Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas.
- Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
- Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions.
- Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.
Concentrations within Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, GeneralCIP 01.0601
A program that focuses on the general production and processing of domesticated plants, shrubs, flowers, foliage, trees, groundcovers, and related plant materials; the management of technical and busi
- Ornamental HorticultureCIP 01.0603
A program that focuses on domesticated plants and plant materials used for decorative and recreational applications and prepares individuals to breed, grow, and utilize ornamental plant varieties for
- Greenhouse Operations and ManagementCIP 01.0604
A program that prepares individuals to produce, store, and deliver plant species in controlled indoor environments for wholesale, commercial, research, or other purposes
- Landscaping and GroundskeepingCIP 01.0605
A program that prepares individuals to manage and maintain indoor and/or outdoor ornamental and recreational plants and groundcovers and related conceptual designs established by landscape architects,
- Plant Nursery Operations and ManagementCIP 01.0606
A program that prepares individuals to operate and manage outdoor plant farms, tree and shrub nurseries, and related facilities that develop domesticated plant products for propagation, harvesting, an
- Turf and Turfgrass ManagementCIP 01.0607
A program that focuses on turfgrasses and related groundcover plants and prepares individuals to develop ornamental or recreational grasses and related products; plant, transplant, and manage grassed
- Floriculture/Floristry Operations and ManagementCIP 01.0608
A program that prepares individuals to operate and manage commercial and contract florist enterprises, supply and delivery services, and flower catering services
- Public HorticultureCIP 01.0609
A program of study that focuses on combining traditional horticulture and public education and outreach
- Urban and Community HorticultureCIP 01.0610
A program that focuses on principles and techniques for the production of horticultural crops in an urban environment
- ReservedCIP 01.0680
Reserved for use by Statistics Canada
- Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, OtherCIP 01.0699
Any instructional program in horticultural service operations not listed above.
Common questions
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
Graduates can work in areas such as landscaping, greenhouse management, and plant nursery operations.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a growth rate of 3.8% with about 4,100 annual job openings.
What is the typical education required?+
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services graduates earn?+
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services graduates report median earnings of $41,341 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation occupation pays about $47,070 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services?+
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services maps to CIP 01.06 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
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