by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in L&scaping & Groundskeeping explores Landscaping And Groundskeeping. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Manage And Maintain Indoor And/or Outdoor Ornamental And Recreational Plants And Groundcovers And Related Conceptual Designs Established By Landscape Architects, Interior Designers, Enterprise Owners Or Managers, And Individual Clients. Includes Instruction In Applicable Principles Of Horticulture, Gardening, Plant And Soil Irrigation And Nutrition, Turf Maintenance, Plant Maintenance, Equipment Operation And Maintenance, Personnel Supervision, And Purchasing. Examples: [Greenspace]. Read on to learn the essential details every l&scaping & groundskeeping major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering l&scaping & groundskeeping programs.
Nationwide, l&scaping & groundskeeping is a popular field of study, with 877 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best L&scaping & Groundskeeping Schools ranking analyzes these 80 schools to determine the best overall colleges for l&scaping & groundskeeping students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of l&scaping & groundskeeping programs later in this article.
Coursework for L&scaping & Groundskeeping develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a l&scaping & groundskeeping program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a l&scaping & groundskeeping major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several l&scaping & groundskeeping 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 | 92 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 253 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 103 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 428 |
People currently working in careers related to l&scaping & groundskeeping tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 21.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 16.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 13.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 11.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 10.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.9% |
| Master’s degree | 5.3% |
| Some college courses | 3.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in l&scaping & groundskeeping careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in l&scaping & groundskeeping can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to l&scaping & groundskeeping.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to l&scaping & groundskeeping.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | 276,926 | 4.4% |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 139,205 | -2.2% |
| Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation | 59,660 | 1.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of l&scaping & groundskeeping 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 l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers l&scaping & groundskeeping grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $43,138 |
| Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation | $34,037 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $24,378 |
With 80 different l&scaping & groundskeeping programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased l&scaping & groundskeeping school rankings to help you.
Students interested in l&scaping & groundskeeping, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
