Best institutions to study Horticultural Science
A program that focuses on the scientific principles related to the cultivation of garden and ornamental plants, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and landscape and nursery crops.
49 U.S. institutions graduated 875 Horticultural Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.1103, a specialization of Plant Sciences (CIP 01.11), and leads most directly to the Soil and Plant Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1013).
About Horticultural Science programs
A program that focuses on the scientific principles related to the cultivation of garden and ornamental plants, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and landscape and nursery crops. Includes instruction in specific types of plants, such as citrus; breeding horticultural varieties; physiology of horticultural species; and the scientific management of horticultural plant development and production through the life cycle.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Horticultural Science program, a part of Plant Sciences, focuses on the scientific principles related to the cultivation of garden and ornamental plants, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and landscape crops. This program is designed for students interested in understanding plant development and production through their life cycles, making it ideal for those passionate about agriculture and plant sciences.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in areas such as biology, chemistry, and soil management. Core skills include critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication, which are essential for conducting research and managing horticultural projects.
Credentials awarded
What Horticultural Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree597 graduates / yr · 33 institutions68%
- Master's degree139 graduates / yr · 21 institutions16%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship61 graduates / yr · 15 institutions7.0%
- Associate's degree41 graduates / yr · 7 institutions4.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year27 graduates / yr · 7 institutions3.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years10 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.1%
Graduates over time
Horticultural Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 851 |
| 2013 | 866 |
| 2014 | 814 |
| 2015 | 795 |
| 2016 | 789 |
| 2017 | 781 |
| 2018 | 744 |
| 2019 | 761 |
| 2020 | 799 |
| 2021 | 817 |
| 2022 | 828 |
| 2023 | 841 |
| 2024 | 892 |
| 2025 | 875 |
Top 49 institutions for Horticultural Science, 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 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 103 | 67% | — | $36,980 |
| 2 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 74 | 70% | — | $38,397 |
| 3 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 58 | 85% | — | $42,008 |
| 4 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 45 | 91% | — | $36,372 |
| 5 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 38 | 82% | — | $39,024 |
| 6 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 37 | 81% | — | $35,701 |
| 7 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor's | 36 | 75% | — | $49,393 |
| 8 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 36 | 68% | — | — |
| 9 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 34 | 71% | — | $50,115 |
| 10 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor's | 33 | 58% | — | $36,173 |
| 11 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 30 | 90% | — | $40,794 |
| 12 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 30 | 83% | — | — |
| 13 | SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, NYPublicAssociate'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 28% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 75% | — | — |
| 15 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 24% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor's | 21 | 83% | — | $37,170 |
| 17 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 49% | — | $30,053 |
| 18 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor's | 17 | 87% | — | $46,395 |
| 19 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 16 | 86% | — | $42,861 |
| 20 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 56% | $25,402 | — |
| 21 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 88% | — | $42,712 |
| 22 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 90% | — | — |
| 23 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 11 | 64% | — | $49,048 |
| 24 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 10 | 84% | — | $45,163 |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WIPublicBachelor's | 10 | 57% | — | $48,791 |
| 26 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 9 | 55% | — | — |
| 27 | Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, GAPublicBachelor's | 8 | 41% | — | — |
| 28 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 8 | 75% | — | — |
| 29 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicAssociate's | 7 | 83% | — | — |
| 30 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor's | 7 | 67% | — | $45,994 |
| 31 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicBachelor's | 7 | 48% | — | — |
| 32 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicMaster's | 7 | 69% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicBachelor's | 6 | 57% | — | $44,559 |
| 34 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 60% | — | $47,531 |
| 35 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor's | 5 | 71% | — | — |
| 36 | Bergen Community College Paramus, NJPublicAssociate's | 5 | 21% | — | — |
| 37 | Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute Wooster, OHPublicAssociate's | 5 | 43% | — | — |
| 38 | University of Minnesota - Crookston Crookston, MNPublicBachelor's | 4 | 50% | — | $57,915 |
| 39 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 95% | $17,613 | $32,236 |
| 40 | University of Wisconsin - Platteville Platteville, WIPublicBachelor's | 4 | 56% | — | $47,910 |
| 41 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster's | 3 | 85% | — | $35,216 |
| 42 | College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 64% | $8,360 | — |
| 43 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 3 | 67% | — | $47,716 |
| 44 | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 45% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster's | 1 | 71% | — | — |
| 46 | Missouri State University - West Plains West Plains, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 41% | — | — |
| 47 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicDoctoral | 1 | 86% | — | — |
| 48 | Athens Technical College Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 51% | — | — |
| 49 | Heartland Community College Normal, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 54% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Plant Sciences field (CIP 01.11) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 33 states & territories
Where Horticultural Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Plant Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1013, Soil and Plant Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Horticultural Science program can pursue careers as Soil and Plant Scientists, with a median wage of $71,410. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 5.4% and approximately 1,700 annual openings, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.1103
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Soil and Plant Scientistsprimary SOC 19-1013 | $78,850 | +5.4% Faster than average | ~1,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers SOC 11-9013 | $89,900 | -1.3% Decline | ~85,500 | 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 Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Horticultural Science 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
- Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
- Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
- Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
- Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
- Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
- Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
Tools and technology used
Other Plant Sciences specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Plant Sciences (CIP 01.11).
- Agronomy and Crop ScienceCIP 01.11021,367 graduates / yr65 institutions
- Plant SciencesCIP 01.1101753 graduates / yr43 institutions
- Plant Protection and Integrated Pest ManagementCIP 01.1105196 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Range Science and ManagementCIP 01.1106137 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Plant SciencesCIP 01.1199partial data104 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Agricultural and Horticultural Plant BreedingCIP 01.1104partial data42 graduates / yr6 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Horticultural Science?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's, or Associate's degree in Horticultural Science.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, communication, and active learning.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Horticultural Science?+
You can work as a Soil and Plant Scientist or in various agricultural management roles.
What is the job outlook for Horticultural Science graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.4% and about 1,700 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Horticultural Science?+
Horticultural Science is CIP 01.1103 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Plant Sciences (CIP 01.11). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific principles related to the cultivation of garden and ornamental plants, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and landscape and nursery crops. Includes instruction in specific types of plants, such as citrus; breeding horticultural varieties; physiology of horticultural species; and the scientific management of horticultural plant development and production through the life cycle.
How many institutions offer Horticultural Science programs?+
49 U.S. institutions reported Horticultural Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 33 states & territories, awarding 875 credentials in the year. That is 25.2% of all Plant Sciences graduates.
How much do Horticultural Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Soil and Plant Scientists occupation, which Horticultural Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,850 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Plant Sciences field report median earnings of $42,861 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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