by our College Data Analytics Team
[Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/horticulture/applied-horticulture-horticulture-operations-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied horticulture/horticulture operations education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for applied horticulture/horticulture operations students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Williamson College Of The Trades earned the #1 spot for value among applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,611. The acceptance rate is 22%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trident Technical College earned it the #2 place for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $18,116. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Spartanburg Community College one of the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $10,148. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $29,260. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations will find it at Saddleback College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Tarrant County College District came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #6 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College placed #7 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $68,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Alto College landed the #8 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Palo Alto College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $9,430. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #9 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $9,384. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Fullerton College earned the #10 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Gwinnett Technical College came in at #11 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,048 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $39,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $10,941. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyamaca College came in at #13 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Cuyamaca College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,346, with out-of-state students paying around $11,314. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,435 ten years after entry.
College Of Dupage earned the #14 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $12,492. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $13,970. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. That is a strong return on a $13,970 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $16,374. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City came in at #17 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,779, while out-of-state students pay about $9,564. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $18,726. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $45,580. Set against $18,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clackamas Community College came in at #18 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Clackamas Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oregon City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,265. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $13,915. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Clackamas Community College generally make around $31,280. That is a strong return on a $13,915 median debt.
American River College placed #19 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $14,105. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College placed #20 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #21 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $12,497. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #22 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brunswick Community College came in at #23 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Bolivia. In-state tuition and fees average $2,553, with out-of-state students paying around $8,697. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Brunswick Community College generally make around $47,493. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Farmingdale State College placed #24 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $23,900. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Edmonds Community College came in at #25 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Edmonds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lynnwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,810, compared with $10,875 for out-of-state students. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $16,025 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $35,618. That is a strong return on a $16,025 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations:
Explore the best-value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.