by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 49 U.S. colleges awarded 883 degrees and certificates in Horticultural Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 68% of graduates. College Factual ranks 24 schools in its 2027 Best Horticultural Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $45,321 one year after completing, rising to $60,119 after four years.
A major in Horticultural Science involves the study of Horticultural Science. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Principles Related To The Cultivation Of Garden And Ornamental Plants, Including Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, And Landscape And Nursery Crops. Includes Instruction In Specific Types Of Plants, Such As Citrus; Breeding Horticultural Varieties; Physiology Of Horticultural Species; And The Scientific Management Of Horticultural Plant Development And Production Through The Life Cycle.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, horticultural science is a popular field of study, with 883 degrees awarded annually. 49 colleges award horticultural science degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 104.
By level, the 883 awards include 10 certificates, 41 associate degrees, 603 bachelor’s degrees, 168 master’s degrees and 61 doctorates.
Women earned 56% of horticultural science degrees and certificates in the latest year (498 of 883). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (612) and Hispanic or Latino (91), and international students earned 83.
College Factual ranks 24 schools in its 2027 Best Horticultural Science Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 21 for bachelor’s degrees, 5 for master’s degrees and 4 for doctorates. It also ranks horticultural science schools within 22 states. In all, 49 colleges offer horticultural science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Horticultural Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common horticultural science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 603 of the 883 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to horticultural science call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a horticultural science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 41 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 603 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 168 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 61 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to horticultural science, at 56.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 56.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| First professional degree | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Horticultural Science, with an average median salary of $66,780; the strongest outlook belongs to Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, at 14.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Adjunct Instructor, Farm Consultant, Farm Services Advisor and Farm Management Specialist.
The occupation related to horticultural science with the most projected jobs is Farm and Home Management Educators, at 1,304,119.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 172,528 | 3.7% |
Horticultural Science graduates earn a median $45,321 one year after completing their program, $60,119 after four years and $56,395 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,321 |
| 4 years | $60,119 |
| 5 years | $56,395 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to horticultural science, 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 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $59,587 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
Horticultural Science has 6 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 2,627 degrees a year; the largest are Agronomy and Crop Science (1,387), Plant Sciences, General (758) and Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management (199). Browse all Agriculture majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agronomy and Crop Science | 1,387 |
| Plant Sciences, General | 758 |
| Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management | 199 |
| Range Science and Management | 137 |
| Plant Sciences, Other | 104 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding | 42 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
