Best institutions to study Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations
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 business operations connected with horticultural services; and the basic scientific principles needed to understand plants and their management and care.
141 U.S. institutions graduated 2,248 Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.0601, a specialization of Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services (CIP 01.06), and leads most directly to the Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers occupation (BLS SOC 37-3011).
About Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations programs
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 business operations connected with horticultural services; and the basic scientific principles needed to understand plants and their management and care.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations program focuses on the production and processing of various domesticated plants, including shrubs, flowers, and trees. This program is designed for individuals interested in managing technical and business operations within horticultural services, providing a foundation in the scientific principles necessary for effective plant care and management.
Students will develop essential skills in critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics, alongside knowledge in areas such as chemistry and customer service. Coursework often includes hands-on training with tools and equipment used in landscaping and horticultural operations.
Credentials awarded
What Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,057 graduates / yr · 76 institutions47%
- Associate's degree702 graduates / yr · 102 institutions31%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years374 graduates / yr · 42 institutions17%
- Bachelor's degree109 graduates / yr · 9 institutions4.8%
- Award of less than 12 weeks6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,094 |
| 2013 | 2,192 |
| 2014 | 1,904 |
| 2015 | 1,848 |
| 2016 | 2,125 |
| 2017 | 2,271 |
| 2018 | 2,328 |
| 2019 | 2,491 |
| 2020 | 2,236 |
| 2021 | 1,617 |
| 2022 | 1,928 |
| 2023 | 2,035 |
| 2024 | 2,268 |
| 2025 | 2,248 |
Top 50 institutions for Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Land College Mattoon, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 383 | 58% | — | $7,972 |
| 2 | Lee College Baytown, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 113 | 53% | — | — |
| 3 | Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 87 | 21% | — | — |
| 4 | SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 81 | 43% | — | — |
| 5 | J F Ingram State Technical College Deatsville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 59 | 21% | — | — |
| 6 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 54 | 84% | — | $41,341 |
| 7 | Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 41 | 34% | — | — |
| 8 | Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 40 | 19% | — | — |
| 9 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 37 | 31% | — | — |
| 10 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 35 | 35% | — | $28,703 |
| 11 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 31 | 32% | — | — |
| 12 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 30 | 36% | — | — |
| 13 | Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 51% | — | — |
| 14 | Clackamas Community College Oregon City, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 28 | 23% | — | — |
| 15 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College Kalamazoo, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 28% | — | — |
| 16 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 34% | — | — |
| 17 | Finger Lakes Community College Canandaigua, NYPublicAssociate's | 26 | 30% | — | — |
| 18 | Carteret Community College Morehead City, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 26 | 49% | — | — |
| 19 | College of Western Idaho Nampa, IDPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 31% | — | — |
| 20 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 32% | — | — |
| 21 | Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 23 | 55% | — | — |
| 22 | Trident Technical College Charleston, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 30% | — | — |
| 23 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 22 | 48% | — | — |
| 24 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 22 | 48% | — | — |
| 25 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 22 | 53% | — | — |
| 26 | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg, SCPublicAssociate's | 21 | 28% | — | $29,260 |
| 27 | Western Texas College Snyder, TXPublicAssociate's | 21 | 53% | — | — |
| 28 | Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 20 | 32% | — | — |
| 29 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 20 | 32% | — | — |
| 30 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor's | 19 | 67% | — | $51,005 |
| 31 | Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 19 | 53% | — | — |
| 32 | Brunswick Community College Bolivia, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 40% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 75% | — | — |
| 34 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 33% | — | — |
| 35 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 37% | — | — |
| 36 | Merritt College Oakland, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 26% | — | — |
| 37 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 17 | 38% | — | — |
| 38 | McHenry County College Crystal Lake, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 17 | 37% | — | — |
| 39 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KSPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 31% | — | — |
| 40 | Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City Oklahoma City, OKPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 15% | — | — |
| 41 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 24% | — | — |
| 42 | College of the Desert Palm Desert, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 15 | 31% | — | — |
| 43 | Williamson College of the Trades Media, PAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 15 | 83% | $1,421 | — |
| 44 | Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 56% | — | — |
| 45 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 45% | — | — |
| 46 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 65% | — | — |
| 47 | Mid - America Technology Center Wayne, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 100% | — | — |
| 48 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 47% | — | — |
| 49 | Pickens Technical College Aurora, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 76% | — | — |
| 50 | Trinity Valley Community College Athens, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 13 | 27% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services field (CIP 01.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 33 states & territories
Where Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations graduates come from. Each state links to all Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 37-3011, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, with an average annual wage of $38,090. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with approximately 158,200 annual openings projected and a growth rate of 3.6%.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.0601
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workersprimary SOC 37-3011 | $39,150 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~158,200 | No formal educational credential |
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers SOC 11-9013 | $89,900 | -1.3% Decline | ~85,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers SOC 37-1012 | $58,430 | +2.3% About as fast as average | ~23,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Farm and Home Management Educators SOC 25-9021 | $60,220 | -2.5% Decline | ~1,100 | Master's degree |
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1041 | $98,700 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Gather and remove litter.
- Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
- Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
- Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
- Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
- Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
Tools and technology used
Other Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services (CIP 01.06).
- Landscaping and GroundskeepingCIP 01.0605966 graduates / yr82 institutions
- Turf and Turfgrass ManagementCIP 01.0607385 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Plant Nursery Operations and ManagementCIP 01.0606156 graduates / yr26 institutions
- Greenhouse Operations and ManagementCIP 01.0604133 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Floriculture/CIP 01.0608
Floristry Operations and Management 119 graduates / yr19 institutions - Applied Horticulture/CIP 01.0699
Horticultural Business Services partial data95 graduates / yr9 institutions - Ornamental HorticultureCIP 01.060394 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Urban and Community HorticultureCIP 01.0610partial data26 graduates / yr5 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Public Horticulture01.0609
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services programs →
Common questions
What types of credentials can I earn?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks, an Associate's degree, or an Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and monitoring, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker or in other agricultural management roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.6% and approximately 158,200 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations?+
Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations is CIP 01.0601 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services (CIP 01.06). NCES defines it as: 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 business operations connected with horticultural services; and the basic scientific principles needed to understand plants and their management and care.
How many institutions offer Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations programs?+
141 U.S. institutions reported Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 33 states & territories, awarding 2,248 credentials in the year. That is 53.2% of all Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services graduates.
How much do Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers occupation, which Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations most directly leads to, pays a median of $39,150 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services field report median earnings of $38,339 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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