Best institutions to study Ornamental Horticulture
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 commercial and aesthetic purposes.
15 U.S. institutions graduated 94 Ornamental Horticulture students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.0603, 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 Ornamental Horticulture programs
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 commercial and aesthetic purposes. Includes instruction in applicable plant science subjects, the environmental design and artistic aspects of horticultural product usage, and the management of horticultural operations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Ornamental Horticulture program, part of Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services, focuses on the cultivation and management of domesticated plants used for decorative and recreational purposes. This program is designed for individuals interested in breeding, growing, and utilizing ornamental plant varieties for both commercial and aesthetic applications.
Students will gain knowledge in plant science, environmental design, and the artistic aspects of horticultural product usage. The program emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and practical skills necessary for managing horticultural operations effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Ornamental Horticulture graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree34 graduates / yr · 9 institutions36%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year27 graduates / yr · 3 institutions29%
- Bachelor's degree20 graduates / yr · 1 institution21%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years8 graduates / yr · 1 institution8.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 4 institutions5.3%
Graduates over time
Ornamental Horticulture completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 308 |
| 2013 | 192 |
| 2014 | 175 |
| 2015 | 194 |
| 2016 | 153 |
| 2017 | 122 |
| 2018 | 124 |
| 2019 | 105 |
| 2020 | 115 |
| 2021 | 160 |
| 2022 | 110 |
| 2023 | 127 |
| 2024 | 104 |
| 2025 | 94 |
Top 15 institutions for Ornamental Horticulture, 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 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor's | 20 | 71% | — | $29,241 |
| 2 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 40% | — | — |
| 3 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NYPublicAssociate's | 9 | 42% | — | — |
| 4 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 25% | — | — |
| 5 | Mercer County Community College West Windsor, NJPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 25% | — | — |
| 6 | School of Professional Horticulture, New York Botanical Garden Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 8 | — | — | — |
| 7 | CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx, NYPublicAssociate's | 6 | 16% | — | — |
| 8 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 56% | $25,402 | $47,375 |
| 9 | Kishwaukee College Malta, ILPublicAssociate's | 3 | 45% | — | — |
| 10 | Triton College River Grove, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 29% | — | — |
| 11 | Rowan College of South Jersey - Cumberland Campus Vineland, NJPublicAssociate's | 3 | 33% | — | — |
| 12 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NYPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 53% | — | — |
| 13 | Walters State Community College Morristown, TNPublicAssociate's | 2 | 33% | — | — |
| 14 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAssociate's | 1 | 16% | — | — |
| 15 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 59% | — | — |
* 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 9 states
Where Ornamental Horticulture graduates come from. Each state links to all Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 4 | 26 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill9 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 20 | University of Arkansas20 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 15 | Ivy Tech Community College15 / yr |
| Illinois | 3 | 14 | College of DuPage8 / yr |
| New Jersey | 2 | 11 | Mercer County Community College8 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 4 | Delaware Valley University4 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 2 | Walters State Community College2 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 1 | Mesa Community College1 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | Utah State University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 37-3011, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Ornamental Horticulture program can pursue careers as Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, among other roles. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 3.6% and approximately 158,200 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $38,090, with no formal educational credential typically required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.0603
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 |
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 Ornamental Horticulture 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).
- Applied Horticulture/CIP 01.0601
Horticulture Operations 2,248 graduates / yr141 institutions - 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 - 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 degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, a Bachelor's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and practical horticultural techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, 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 158,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Ornamental Horticulture?+
Ornamental Horticulture is CIP 01.0603 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 domesticated plants and plant materials used for decorative and recreational applications and prepares individuals to breed, grow, and utilize ornamental plant varieties for commercial and aesthetic purposes. Includes instruction in applicable plant science subjects, the environmental design and artistic aspects of horticultural product usage, and the management of horticultural operations.
How many institutions offer Ornamental Horticulture programs?+
15 U.S. institutions reported Ornamental Horticulture graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 94 credentials in the year. That is 2.2% of all Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services graduates.
How much do Ornamental Horticulture graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers occupation, which Ornamental Horticulture 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 $47,375 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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