by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Horticultural Science involves the study of Horticultural Science. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Principles Related To The Cultivation Of Garden And Ornamental Plants, Including Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, And Landscape And Nursery Crops. Includes Instruction In Specific Types Of Plants, Such As Citrus; Breeding Horticultural Varieties; Physiology Of Horticultural Species; And The Scientific Management Of Horticultural Plant Development And Production Through The Life Cycle. Read on to learn the essential details every horticultural science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering horticultural science programs.
Nationwide, horticultural science is a popular field of study, with 903 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Horticultural Science Schools ranking analyzes these 50 schools to determine the best overall colleges for horticultural science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of horticultural science programs later in this article.
Coursework for Horticultural Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations horticultural science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a horticultural science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a horticultural science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several horticultural science 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 | 17 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 50 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 585 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 194 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 57 |
People currently working in careers related to horticultural science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 56.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| First professional degree | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in horticultural science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying horticultural science can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to horticultural science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to horticultural science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 172,528 | 3.7% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of horticultural science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,321 |
| 4 years | $49,331 |
| 5 years | $56,395 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for horticultural science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers horticultural science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $59,587 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
With 50 different horticultural science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased horticultural science school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in horticultural science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agronomy and Crop Science | 1,201 |
| Plant Sciences, General | 692 |
| Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management | 166 |
| Range Science and Management | 153 |
| Plant Sciences, Other | 107 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding | 39 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
