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2026 Best Value Horticulture Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the horticulture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Horticulture Schools
For return on investment in horticulture, no school beat Wilkes Community College this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the horticulture program here. Horticulture graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place for horticulture. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for horticulture graduates is $11,861. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for horticulture. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Horticulture graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, horticulture degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Wayne Community College one of the best values for horticulture. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for horticulture graduates is $5,500. Horticulture graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in horticulture will find it at Cape Fear Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the horticulture program here. Horticulture graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Set against $12,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value horticulture schools. 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, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Horticulture graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Horticulture graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sandhills Community College earned the #7 position for value in horticulture this year. Sandhills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,648. Students borrow a median of $9,238 to complete the horticulture program here. Soon after graduation, horticulture degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. That is a strong return on a $9,238 median debt.
Brunswick Community College came in at #8 for value in horticulture this year. Located in the rural area of Bolivia, Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,553, with out-of-state students paying around $8,697. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the horticulture program here. Horticulture graduates of Brunswick Community College earn a median of $47,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Carteret Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value horticulture schools. Located in the town of Morehead City, Carteret Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $8,222 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for horticulture graduates is $5,566. Horticulture graduates of Carteret Community College earn a median of $48,953 early in their careers. Set against $5,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #10 for value in horticulture this year. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete the horticulture program here. Soon after graduation, horticulture degree recipients from Guilford Technical Community College generally make around $36,124. Set against $20,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
[Horticulture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/horticulture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
