2027 Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools in the Southeast Region
[Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/horticulture/applied-horticulture-horticulture-operations-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for applied horticulture/horticulture operations students.
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2027 Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools in the Southeast 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
Wilkes Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools in the Southeast Region. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $9,125. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trident Technical College earned it the #2 place for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. 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 Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chattahoochee Technical College earned it the #4 place for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Spartanburg Community College one of the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $29,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pamlico Community College landed the #6 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Pamlico Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Grantsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,712, compared with $12,928 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,005 ten years after entry.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #7 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #8 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gwinnett Technical College came in at #9 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,524, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $18,048. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Gwinnett Technical College generally make around $39,288. That is a strong return on a $18,048 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #10 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. In-state tuition and fees average $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,693 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $39,765. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #11 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $16,374. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.
Sowela Technical Community College landed the #12 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $7,391 in student loans. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $45,827. That is a strong return on a $7,391 median debt.
Lanier Technical College placed #13 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, with out-of-state students paying around $7,190. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $37,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brunswick Community College earned the #14 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the rural area of Bolivia, Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,553 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Brunswick Community College generally make around $47,493. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #15 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $14,413. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Augusta Technical College earned the #16 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $11,400. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Augusta Technical College generally make around $41,892. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carteret Community College placed #17 among the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Carteret Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Morehead City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $8,222. Typical student debt for applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates is $5,566. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $48,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Technical College earned the #18 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Located in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Students borrow a median of $17,652 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $36,577. That is a strong return on a $17,652 median debt.
Tidewater Community College earned the #19 position for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Students borrow a median of $14,001 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $35,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #20 spot for applied horticulture/horticulture operations value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $14,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $38,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
