2026 Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations Schools
Wilkes Community College earned the #1 spot for value among applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools in North Carolina. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. 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 Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. 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.
Fayetteville Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Forsyth Technical Community College one of the best values for applied horticulture/horticulture operations. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.
Brunswick Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied horticulture/horticulture operations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Bolivia, Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,553, compared with $8,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $47,493. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Carteret Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value applied horticulture/horticulture operations schools. Located in the town of Morehead City, Carteret Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $8,222. Students borrow a median of $5,566 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $48,953. That is a strong return on a $5,566 median debt.
Alamance Community College came in at #7 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Applied Horticulture/horticulture Operations graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied horticulture/horticulture operations degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #8 for value in applied horticulture/horticulture operations this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,375 to complete the applied horticulture/horticulture operations program here. Early-career applied horticulture/horticulture operations graduates make about $38,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
