by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Horticulture Therapy involves the study of A Program That Focuses On Plant Science And Horticulture Techniques To Achieve Measurable Physical And Mental Health Outcomes For Individuals With Physical Or Mental Challenges. Includes Instruction In Abnormal Psychology, Adult Development And Aging, Botany, Facilities Design, Horticultural Therapy, Plant Pathology, People-Plant Relationships, And Psychology. Read on to learn the important information every horticulture therapy student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering horticulture therapy programs.
In the U.S., horticulture therapy draws strong interest, with 15 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Horticulture Therapy Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for horticulture therapy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of horticulture therapy programs later in this article.
Programs in Horticulture Therapy emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations horticulture therapy graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a horticulture therapy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a horticulture therapy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several horticulture therapy 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 15 |
People currently working in careers related to horticulture therapy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 47.4% |
| Master’s degree | 31.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in horticulture therapy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in horticulture therapy can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to horticulture therapy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to horticulture therapy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Music Therapists | 3,083,788 | 4.9% |
| Therapists, All Other | 2,758,134 | -2.9% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Art Therapists | 715,793 | 1.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of horticulture therapy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,332 |
| 4 years | $70,102 |
| 5 years | $75,167 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for horticulture therapy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers horticulture therapy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Therapists, All Other | $121,750 |
| Music Therapists | $71,670 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Art Therapists | $40,748 |
With 1 different horticulture therapy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased horticulture therapy school rankings to help you.
Those considering horticulture therapy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,424 |
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist | 10,460 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,107 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor | 941 |
| Art Therapy/Therapist | 768 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 722 |
| Music Therapy/Therapist | 651 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 621 |
| Orthotist/Prosthetist | 408 |
| Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist | 121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
