2026 Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/horticulture/applied-horticulture-horticulture-operations-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools.
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2026 Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools
Leading the list is Williamson College Of The Trades, our #1 best value for applied horticulture/horticulture operations in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,611 in tuition and fees. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes The Community College Of Baltimore County one of the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations will find it at Niagara County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $36,258. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $23,900 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Finger Lakes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,258, with out-of-state students paying around $8,442. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Finger Lakes Community College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Media. Students from in state pay about $14,850 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,631 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology earn a median of $40,998 early in their careers. Set against $22,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.