by our College Data Analytics Team
[Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/horticulture/applied-horticulture-horticulture-operations-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 184 schools to find the best return on investment for applied horticulture/horticulture operations students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the applied horticulture/horticulture operations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Williamson College Of The Trades earned the #1 spot for value among applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
Saddleback College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations will find it at Trident Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $18,116. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #6 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $16,909. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Western Texas College earned the #7 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $68,077. Set against $8,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palo Alto College placed #8 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $9,430. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
Joliet Junior College placed #10 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #11 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District landed the #12 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College landed the #13 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $38,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyamaca College placed #14 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Cuyamaca College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,346, compared with $11,314 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,435 ten years after entry.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #15 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $29,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College earned the #16 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $10,941. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #17 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $10,388. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College came in at #18 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,970 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College earned the #20 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #21 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clackamas Community College landed the #22 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Located in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,345, compared with $14,265 for out-of-state students. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $13,915 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Clackamas Community College generally make around $31,280. Set against $13,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $23,900 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $50,374. Set against $23,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Augusta Technical College came in at #24 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,282 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $11,400. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $41,892. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brunswick Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Located in the rural area of Bolivia, Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,553, compared with $8,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Brunswick Community College generally make around $47,493. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 184 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.