by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations explores Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations, General. A Program That Focuses On The General Production And Processing Of Domesticated Plants, Shrubs, Flowers, Foliage, Trees, Groundcovers, And Related Plant Materials; The Management Of Technical And Business Operations Connected With Horticultural Services; And The Basic Scientific Principles Needed To Understand Plants And Their Management And Care. Continue reading for the essential details every applied horticulture/horticulture operations major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering applied horticulture/horticulture operations programs.
Across the country, applied horticulture/horticulture operations is a widely-pursued major, with 2,270 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools ranking analyzes these 146 schools to determine the best overall colleges for applied horticulture/horticulture operations students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of applied horticulture/horticulture operations programs later in this article.
Coursework for Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a applied horticulture/horticulture operations program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a applied horticulture/horticulture operations major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 397 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 714 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 97 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,052 |
People currently working in careers related to applied horticulture/horticulture operations tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 46.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Some college courses | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in applied horticulture/horticulture operations careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in applied horticulture/horticulture operations prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to applied horticulture/horticulture operations.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to applied horticulture/horticulture operations.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | 276,926 | 4.4% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 139,205 | -2.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,555 |
| 4 years | $43,505 |
| 5 years | $48,599 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers applied horticulture/horticulture operations grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $43,138 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $24,378 |
With 146 different applied horticulture/horticulture operations programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased applied horticulture/horticulture operations school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
