by our College Data Analytics Team
[Horticulture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/horticulture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value horticulture schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in horticulture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Williamson College Of The Trades the best value for a degree in horticulture in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in horticulture will find it at Niagara County Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Typical student debt for horticulture graduates is $13,970. Horticulture graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in horticulture will find it at The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for horticulture graduates is $18,038. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $52,440. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Farmingdale State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value horticulture schools. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Horticulture graduates carry a median of $23,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, horticulture degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
A rank of #5 makes Finger Lakes Community College one of the best values for horticulture. Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Canandaigua. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,258, while out-of-state students pay about $8,442. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete the horticulture program here. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $40,467. Set against $16,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology landed the #6 spot for horticulture value this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Pennsylvania Institute Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,850 in tuition and fees. Horticulture graduates carry a median of $22,631 in student loans. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $40,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #7 for value in horticulture this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,821 to complete the horticulture program here. Horticulture graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $47,994 early in their careers. Set against $28,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #8 among the best values for horticulture. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for horticulture graduates is $12,000. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $30,185. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for horticulture. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Typical student debt for horticulture graduates is $28,821. Soon after graduation, horticulture degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $47,994. Set against $28,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.