Most Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business programs take two years to complete. Graduates start earning $46,289 right after finishing, climbing to $58,494 four years out.
About Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business
This page covers Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Agriculture and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $58,494 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 286 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 3,932 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$46,289
Median Earnings · 4yr
$58,494
Colleges Offering
286
Graduates / Year
3,932
Avg Net Price / yr
$13,894
How Much Do Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business, a typical graduate earns $58,494, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $43,192 and $76,226, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$58,494
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$56,937
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
$43,19225th pct.
$58,494Median
$76,22675th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $58,494 against an estimated $55,576 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 42 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 3,932 students who complete Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business programs each year, the majority (56%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
27%56%
Associate's56%
Certificate27%
Bachelor's16%
What Can You Do With an Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates show up in 5 different occupations, and Agricultural Sciences Teachers pay the most at $98,700/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
High school diploma or equivalent70,800 openings/yr7K employed nationally
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.
Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingSocial Perceptiveness
Day-to-day responsibilities
Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.
Advise farmers and demonstrate techniques in areas such as feeding and health maintenance of livestock, growing and harvesting practices, and financial planning.
Conduct classes or deliver lectures on subjects such as nutrition, home management, and farming techniques.
Collaborate with producers to diagnose and prevent management and production problems.
High school diploma or equivalent23,900 openings/yr131K employed nationally
MonitoringTime ManagementManagement of Personnel ResourcesActive ListeningSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and workforce requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.
Establish and enforce operating procedures and work standards that will ensure adequate performance and personnel safety.
Schedule work for crews, depending on work priorities, crew or equipment availability, or weather conditions.
Tour grounds, such as parks, botanical gardens, cemeteries, or golf courses, to inspect conditions of plants and soil.
Top Colleges for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business
Not sure where to study Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Agriculture Programs
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business is not the only path through Agriculture: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business shows 2 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $58,494 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 103,500 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates earn?
$58,494 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $43,192 and $76,226, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business degree?
$46,289 in the first year out. That grows to $58,494 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business degree?
Agricultural Sciences Teachers are one path, and it pays a median of $98,700 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for an Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business?
286 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business degree worth it?
$58,494 median earnings four years out against $13,894 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business and Agriculture?
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business is the narrower of the two: Agriculture covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $58,494, graduate study in Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average +0.8% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Landscaping Supervisors are among the strongest-growth roles at +4.0%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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