TRADES Specialization

Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business

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

Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Graduates typically earn around $58,494 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 286 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 3,932 students complete this program each year, most earning 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?

Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates earn $58,494 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,192 and $76,226.

$46,289
1 Year After Graduation

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

There is a moderate earnings spread across Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates. 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.


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.

Associate's 56%
Certificate 27%
Bachelor's 16%

What Can You Do With an Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Degree?

Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business connects to 5 occupations in the job market. Agricultural Sciences Teachers leads at $98,700/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +4.1% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$98,700
$66K $127K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 800 openings/yr 9K employed nationally
Instructing Learning Strategies Speaking Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

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.
↘ -1.3% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$89,900
$66K $119K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 85,500 openings/yr 7K employed nationally
Active Listening Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Complex Problem Solving Speaking
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.
↘ -2.5% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$60,220
$47K $73K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 1,100 openings/yr 8K employed nationally
Active Listening Speaking Reading Comprehension Writing Social 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.
↗ +2.5% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$59,320
$47K $75K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 8,500 openings/yr 28K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Coordination Speaking Monitoring Reading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

  • Assign tasks such as feeding and treatment of animals, and cleaning and maintenance of animal quarters.
  • Record the numbers and types of fish or shellfish reared, harvested, released, sold, and shipped.
  • Monitor workers to ensure that safety regulations are followed, warning or disciplining those who violate safety regulations.
↗ +2.3% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$58,430
$47K $73K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 23,200 openings/yr 131K employed nationally
Monitoring Time Management Management of Personnel Resources Active Listening Speaking
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

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Lake Land College Mattoon, IL · Public 104 Open $2,254 $38,877
2 Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID · Nonprofit 47 95.8% $8,221 $53,406
3 Pennsylvania State University-World Campus University Park, PA · Public 46 91.2% $19,550 $63,435
4 Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MD · Public 37 Open $9,844 $43,729
5 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public 35 60.6% $32,875 $63,435
6 Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GA · Public 34 Open $6,696 $45,025
7 Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public 33 57.4% $21,315 $72,097
8 Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NY · Public 32 Open $6,876 $42,285
9 Brigham Young University Provo, UT · Nonprofit 29 67.8% $15,564 $75,790
10 Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute Wooster, OH · Public 27 Open $17,809 $60,409
11 Lee College Baytown, TX · Public 26 Open $6,879 $42,178
12 Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX · Public 24 Open $4,337 $42,727
13 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI · Public 24 72.2% $21,440 $69,743
14 Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI · Public 24 Open $11,407 $45,684
15 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA · Public 24 75.7% $6,842 $34,996
16 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC · Public 23 41.7% $17,303 $68,758
17 Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY · Public 23 63.3% $10,867 $69,781
18 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public 22 84.8% $19,680 $67,253
19 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public 20 59.7% $22,383 $71,631
20 College of the Desert Palm Desert, CA · Public 20 Open $15,728 $39,020

Ranked by Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a 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 earnings Four-year median of $58,494 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 119,100 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Licensure often required Many positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
  • Advanced degree often expected Top 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 areas 2 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?
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates earn a national median of $58,494 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,192 and $76,226. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business degree?
One year after graduation, Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business degree holders earn a median of $46,289. That climbs to $58,494 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business degree?
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business degree holders pursue careers including Agricultural Sciences Teachers, which pays a median of $98,700/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business program take?
A Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business associate degree typically takes two years full-time at a community college. Many students transfer to a four-year university afterward to complete a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business?
286 colleges and universities in the United States offer Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $58,494 and an average net price of roughly $13,894/yr, a Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business and Agriculture?
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business is a focused concentration within the broader Agriculture field. The Agriculture major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates?
Employers hiring Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates consistently prioritize 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.
Is graduate school worth it for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates?
With a median salary of $58,494, graduate study in Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates?
The job outlook for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +1.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Agricultural Sciences Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.1%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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