by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 15 U.S. colleges awarded 94 degrees and certificates in Ornamental Horticulture. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 36% of graduates. College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Ornamental Horticulture Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $39,255 one year after completing, rising to $55,793 after four years.
A major in Ornamental Horticulture explores Ornamental Horticulture. A Program That Focuses On Domesticated Plants And Plant Materials Used For Decorative And Recreational Applications And Prepares Individuals To Breed, Grow, And Utilize Ornamental Plant Varieties For Commercial And Aesthetic Purposes. Includes Instruction In Applicable Plant Science Subjects, The Environmental Design And Artistic Aspects Of Horticultural Product Usage, And The Management Of Horticultural Operations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, ornamental horticulture is a popular field of study, with 94 degrees awarded annually. 15 colleges award ornamental horticulture degrees, an average of 6 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 20.
By level, the 94 awards include 13 certificates, 34 associate degrees, 20 bachelor’s degrees and 27 master’s degrees.
Women earned 58% of ornamental horticulture degrees and certificates in the latest year (55 of 94). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (64) and Hispanic or Latino (15), and international students earned 1.
College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Ornamental Horticulture Schools ranking, including 1 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks ornamental horticulture schools within 2 states. In all, 15 colleges offer ornamental horticulture programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Ornamental Horticulture Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common ornamental horticulture credential is the associate degree: 34 of the 94 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to ornamental horticulture call most for Active Listening, Critical Thinking and Speaking, and for knowledge of Administration and Management, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an ornamental horticulture degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 13 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 34 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 20 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 27 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to ornamental horticulture, at 22.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 22.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 16.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 11.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 9.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.4% |
| Master’s degree | 5.8% |
| Some college courses | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.8% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Ornamental Horticulture, with an average median salary of $54,775; the strongest outlook belongs to Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, at 14.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Horticulture Manager, Field Manager, Junior Landscape Crew Leader and Adjunct Instructor.
The occupation related to ornamental horticulture with the most projected jobs is Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, at 297,433.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | 276,926 | 4.4% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 139,205 | -2.2% |
Ornamental Horticulture graduates earn a median $39,255 one year after completing their program, $55,793 after four years and $48,970 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,255 |
| 4 years | $55,793 |
| 5 years | $48,970 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to ornamental horticulture, with a median salary of $84,680.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $43,138 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $24,378 |
Ornamental Horticulture has 8 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 4,148 degrees a year; the largest are Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General (2,251), Landscaping and Groundskeeping (977) and Turf and Turfgrass Management (385). Browse all Agriculture majors or the full list of college majors.
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