2027 Best Value Horticulture Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Horticulture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/horticulture/) 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 10 schools to find the best return on investment for horticulture students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Horticulture Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the horticulture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Horticulture Schools
Leading the list is Saint Louis Community College, our #1 best value for horticulture in the The Plains States Region. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the horticulture program here. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $38,999. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in horticulture, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the horticulture program here. Horticulture graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $35,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value horticulture schools. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the horticulture program here. Horticulture graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hennepin Technical College earned it the #4 place for horticulture. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the horticulture program here. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $52,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the best values for horticulture. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the horticulture program here. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #6 for value in horticulture this year. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,249. Horticulture graduates carry a median of $14,479 in student loans. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $44,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson County Community College placed #7 among the best values for horticulture. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete the horticulture program here. Horticulture graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $46,473 early in their careers. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Linn State Technical College earned the #8 position for value in horticulture this year. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,160, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Typical student debt for horticulture graduates is $11,042. Horticulture graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $45,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,042 median debt.
Southeast Technical Institute ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value horticulture schools. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,650. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete the horticulture program here. Soon after graduation, horticulture degree recipients from Southeast Technical Institute generally make around $48,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value horticulture schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the horticulture program here. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
