by our College Data Analytics Team
[Horticulture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/horticulture/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value horticulture schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the horticulture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #1 spot for value among horticulture schools in Iowa. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Horticulture graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value horticulture schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for horticulture graduates is $11,000. Horticulture graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $35,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Des Moines Area Community College earned it the #3 place for horticulture. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for horticulture graduates is $14,956. Early-career horticulture graduates make about $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.