by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, horticultural science was the 474th most popular major nationwide with 823 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 18 over the prior year, a growth of 2.2%.
This year's Best Horticultural Science Schools ranking compares 38 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of horticultural science programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in horticultural science is using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Talking to others to convey information effectively and considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one are all required skills for careers related to this major.
horticultural science degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional horticultural science certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different horticultural science degree levels. You can get anything from a in horticultural science to the highest horticultural science degree, a . Depending on the horticultural science degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to horticultural science, with approximately 24.9% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to horticultural science tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 25.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 24.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 10.4% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 10.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 8.8% |
Most workers in horticultural science have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in horticultural science have received.
The education level required is different depending on the horticultural science career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your horticultural science degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to horticultural science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers | 1,020,700 | -0.8% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 21,700 | 9.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | 13,600 | 7.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for horticultural science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for horticultural science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers horticultural science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | $90,890 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers | $79,940 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $70,630 |
With over 117 different horticultural science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased horticultural science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 6 majors within the Plant Sciences area of study, Horticultural Science has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agronomy & Crop Science | 1,153 |
| Plant Science, General | 668 |
| Range Science & Management | 190 |
| Plant Protection & Integrated Pest Management | 179 |
| Plant Sciences, Other | 108 |
