Best Schools for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services

Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services graduates earn a median of $57,765 within four years of graduating, ranking #129 out of 283 tracked majors — 8% below the median across all fields. There are 14 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 405 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Brigham Young University graduates earn $71,066 while Brigham Young University-Idaho graduates earn $39,752 — a $31,314 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services graduates see an average 5% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$57,765

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#129

of 283 Majors

405

Graduates

Public vs Private: Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services

Public (12 schools)

$58,237

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (2 schools)

$55,409

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services by State

Top Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services Schools by Graduate Earnings

Brigham Young University

Provo, UT · Private

$71,066

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $41,205 (14)

1yr: $47,377 (23)

Acceptance: 69.2%

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

University Park, PA · Public

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public

$66,984

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

2yr: $39,909 (23)

1yr: $38,139 (20)

Acceptance: 89.6%

SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill

Cobleskill, NY · Public

$61,963

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

1yr: $47,738 (22)

Acceptance: 83.3%

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE · Public

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public

$54,498

4yr Earnings

25 grads · small sample

1yr: $40,980 (24)

Acceptance: 70.9%

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Tifton, GA · Public

$52,757

4yr Earnings

29 grads · small sample

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI · Public

$48,403

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

$45,177

4yr Earnings

19 grads · small sample

Brigham Young University-Idaho

Rexburg, ID · Private

$39,752

4yr Earnings

28 grads · small sample

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · Public

$31,848

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 71.7%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Architectural History and Criticism $39,230 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations $39,007 Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations $38,923 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration $38,044 Special Education and Teaching $37,709 Plant Sciences $37,467

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services?

Brigham Young University ranks #1 for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services with median graduate earnings of $71,066 within four years of graduating. There are 14 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services graduates earn?

Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services graduates earn an average of $57,765 within four years of graduating. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $39,752 to $71,066 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services program?

The average acceptance rate across Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services programs is 78.6%. The most selective program is at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus with a 54.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services?

Private Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services programs average $55,409 in early earnings vs $58,237 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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