by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Ornamental Horticulture explores Ornamental Horticulture. A Program That Focuses On Domesticated Plants And Plant Materials Used For Decorative And Recreational Applications And Prepares Individuals To Breed, Grow, And Utilize Ornamental Plant Varieties For Commercial And Aesthetic Purposes. Includes Instruction In Applicable Plant Science Subjects, The Environmental Design And Artistic Aspects Of Horticultural Product Usage, And The Management Of Horticultural Operations. Read on to learn the key facts every ornamental horticulture major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering ornamental horticulture programs.
Nationwide, ornamental horticulture is a popular field of study, with 104 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Ornamental Horticulture Schools ranking analyzes these 16 schools to determine the best overall colleges for ornamental horticulture students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ornamental horticulture programs later in this article.
Programs in Ornamental Horticulture develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations ornamental horticulture graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a ornamental horticulture program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a ornamental horticulture major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several ornamental horticulture 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 | 15 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 47 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 30 |
People currently working in careers related to ornamental horticulture tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 22.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 16.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 11.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 9.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.4% |
| Master’s degree | 5.8% |
| Some college courses | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in ornamental horticulture careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in ornamental horticulture prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to ornamental horticulture.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ornamental horticulture.
| 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% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 139,205 | -2.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of ornamental horticulture 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 ornamental horticulture graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers ornamental horticulture grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $43,138 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $24,378 |
With 16 different ornamental horticulture programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased ornamental horticulture school rankings to help you.
Those considering ornamental horticulture, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
