2026 Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 47 schools to find the best return on investment for applied horticulture/horticulture operations students.
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2026 Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools in the Southeast 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 Trident Technical College, our #1 best value for applied horticulture/horticulture operations in the Southeast Region. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $9,125. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations will find it at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, which ranked #3. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $41,229. Set against $8,492 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. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. 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.
Fayetteville Technical Community College 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 Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $16,909. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #7 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #8 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins placed #9 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Students borrow a median of $11,693 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
Lanier Technical College came in at #10 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,980 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,190. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Lanier Technical College earn a median of $37,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,278 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #11 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $36,245 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #12 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $16,374. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.
Spartanburg Community College earned the #13 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $29,260. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #14 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, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $14,413. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College came in at #15 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $14,001. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $35,627. Set against $14,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Augusta Technical College earned the #16 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,282, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $41,892. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Brunswick Community College landed the #17 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Bolivia. In-state tuition and fees average $2,553, compared with $8,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Brunswick Community College generally make around $47,493. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Piedmont Technical College landed the #18 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $17,652. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Piedmont Technical College earn a median of $36,577 early in their careers. Set against $17,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carteret Community College came in at #19 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the town of Morehead City, Carteret Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,222. Students borrow a median of $5,566 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $48,953. That is a strong return on a $5,566 median debt.
Gwinnett Technical College placed #20 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Gwinnett Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,048 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $39,288. That is a strong return on a $18,048 median debt.
Alamance Community College came in at #21 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #22 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $14,375. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Clemson University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $53,834. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
