2026 Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/horticulture/applied-horticulture-horticulture-operations-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the applied horticulture/horticulture operations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools
Our analysis ranked Front Range Community College the best value for a degree in applied horticulture/horticulture operations in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $28,703. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations will find it at Colorado State University Fort Collins, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $51,005. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Narrow Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.