2027 Best Value L&scaping & Groundskeeping Associate’s Degree Schools

[L&scaping & Groundskeeping](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/horticulture/landscaping-and-groundskeeping/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for l&scaping & groundskeeping students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value L&scaping & Groundskeeping Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the l&scaping & groundskeeping degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value L&scaping & Groundskeeping Schools
Leading the list is Trident Technical College, our #1 best value for l&scaping & groundskeeping in the United States. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates is $18,116. Early-career l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates make about $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in l&scaping & groundskeeping, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates is $10,148. Soon after graduation, l&scaping & groundskeeping degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $29,260. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #3 place for l&scaping & groundskeeping. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the l&scaping & groundskeeping program here. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Cincinnati State Technical And Community College one of the best values for l&scaping & groundskeeping. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Typical student debt for l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates is $17,730. Early-career l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $17,730 median debt.
Palo Alto College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in l&scaping & groundskeeping, landing the #5 spot this year. Palo Alto College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #6 spot for l&scaping & groundskeeping value this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value l&scaping & groundskeeping schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Gwinnett Technical College landed the #8 spot for l&scaping & groundskeeping value this year. Gwinnett Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,092. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates carry a median of $18,048 in student loans. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates of Gwinnett Technical College earn a median of $39,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyamaca College came in at #9 for value in l&scaping & groundskeeping this year. Cuyamaca College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,314 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,435 ten years after entry.
College Of Dupage ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value l&scaping & groundskeeping schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the l&scaping & groundskeeping program here. Early-career l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates make about $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clackamas Community College came in at #11 for value in l&scaping & groundskeeping this year. Set in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, compared with $14,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,915 to complete the l&scaping & groundskeeping program here. Soon after graduation, l&scaping & groundskeeping degree recipients from Clackamas Community College generally make around $31,280. Set against $13,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College earned the #12 position for value in l&scaping & groundskeeping this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates is $14,105. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palm Beach State College earned the #13 position for value in l&scaping & groundskeeping this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates carry a median of $12,518 in student loans. Early-career l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates make about $42,501. That is a strong return on a $12,518 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #14 for value in l&scaping & groundskeeping this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the l&scaping & groundskeeping program here. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College placed #15 among the best values for l&scaping & groundskeeping. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, l&scaping & groundskeeping degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Portland Community College came in at #16 for value in l&scaping & groundskeeping this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete the l&scaping & groundskeeping program here. Early-career l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates make about $49,580. That is a strong return on a $20,648 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #17 spot for l&scaping & groundskeeping value this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.
Edmonds Community College placed #18 among the best values for l&scaping & groundskeeping. Located in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,810, compared with $10,875 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,025 to complete the l&scaping & groundskeeping program here. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates of Edmonds Community College earn a median of $35,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valencia College earned the #19 position for value in l&scaping & groundskeeping this year. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the l&scaping & groundskeeping program here. Soon after graduation, l&scaping & groundskeeping degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $42,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value l&scaping & groundskeeping schools. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Typical student debt for l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates is $17,652. Soon after graduation, l&scaping & groundskeeping degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $36,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Technical College landed the #21 spot for l&scaping & groundskeeping value this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete the l&scaping & groundskeeping program here. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Set against $14,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Front Range Community College earned the #22 position for value in l&scaping & groundskeeping this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the l&scaping & groundskeeping program here. Soon after graduation, l&scaping & groundskeeping degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $28,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merritt College placed #23 among the best values for l&scaping & groundskeeping. Merritt College is a large public school located in the city of Oakland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,258, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Typical student debt for l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates is $11,500. Median earnings reach $44,392 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute came in at #24 for value in l&scaping & groundskeeping this year. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Wooster. Students from in state pay about $9,584 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,362. L&scaping & Groundskeeping graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, l&scaping & groundskeeping degree recipients from Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute generally make around $34,190. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #25 spot for l&scaping & groundskeeping value this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates is $11,000. Early-career l&scaping & groundskeeping graduates make about $53,666. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value L&scaping & Groundskeeping Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s l&scaping & groundskeeping value ranking:
Other L&scaping & Groundskeeping Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value L&scaping & Groundskeeping rankings across degree levels:
View All L&scaping & Groundskeeping Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.