Best institutions to study Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management
A program that prepares individuals to manage the operation of golf courses.
8 U.S. institutions graduated 177 Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 31.0302, a specialization of Parks (CIP 31.03), and leads most directly to the Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers occupation (BLS SOC 37-3011).
About Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management programs
A program that prepares individuals to manage the operation of golf courses. Includes instruction in turf grass science and management, golf course design and construction, grounds equipment and operation, pest control, and grounds management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management program prepares individuals to effectively manage the operations of golf courses. This program is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in the parks, recreation, and leisure industry, specifically focusing on the maintenance and management of golf facilities. Students will gain practical knowledge and skills essential for success in this field.
Core coursework includes turf grass science and management, golf course design and construction, grounds equipment operation, and pest control. Students will develop critical skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, which are vital for managing golf course operations.
Credentials awarded
What Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree117 graduates / yr · 5 institutions66%
- Bachelor's degree34 graduates / yr · 4 institutions19%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year12 graduates / yr · 1 institution6.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years8 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.5%
- Master's degree6 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.4%
Graduates over time
Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 162 |
| 2013 | 181 |
| 2014 | 842 |
| 2015 | 745 |
| 2016 | 560 |
| 2017 | 430 |
| 2018 | 347 |
| 2019 | 85 |
| 2020 | 159 |
| 2021 | 173 |
| 2022 | 145 |
| 2023 | 121 |
| 2024 | 161 |
| 2025 | 177 |
Top 8 institutions for Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management, 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 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor'sMaster's | 79 | 61% | $35,483 | $29,471 |
| 2 | Professional Golfers Career College Temecula, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 46 | 63% | $31,492 | $30,064 |
| 3 | Anoka Technical College Anoka, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 15 | 66% | — | — |
| 4 | Augusta Technical College Augusta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 14 | 31% | — | — |
| 5 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore, WIPublicAssociate's | 8 | 66% | — | — |
| 6 | Trine University Angola, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 64% | $22,269 | — |
| 7 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OKPublicBachelor's | 5 | 37% | — | — |
| 8 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi Delhi, NYPublicBachelor's | 4 | 45% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Parks field (CIP 31.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 8 states
Where Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Parks programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1 | 79 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale79 / yr |
| California | 1 | 46 | Professional Golfers Career College46 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 15 | Anoka Technical College15 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 14 | Augusta Technical College14 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 8 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College8 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 6 | Trine University6 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 5 | University of Central Oklahoma5 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 4 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi4 / yr |
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 expected job outlook growth of 3.6% and approximately 158,200 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $38,090, and many positions do not require formal educational credentials.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 31.0302
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 |
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 |
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling SOC 11-9072 | $79,520 | +7.7% Faster than average | ~5,500 | Bachelor's 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 Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management 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 Parks specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Parks (CIP 31.03).
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, and shorter awards.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 8 colleges offering this program across the United States.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, among other roles.
What is the CIP code for Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management?+
Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management is CIP 31.0302 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Parks (CIP 31.03). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to manage the operation of golf courses. Includes instruction in turf grass science and management, golf course design and construction, grounds equipment and operation, pest control, and grounds management.
How many institutions offer Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management programs?+
8 U.S. institutions reported Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 8 states, awarding 177 credentials in the year. That is 7.6% of all Parks graduates.
How much do Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers occupation, which Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $39,150 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Parks field report median earnings of $30,064 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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