2027 Best Value Horticultural Science Schools
[Horticultural Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/horticultural-science/) 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 37 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value horticultural science schools.
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Finding the Best Value Horticultural Science School for You
Where you study horticultural science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Horticultural Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Horticultural Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Horticultural Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the horticultural science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Horticultural Science Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value horticultural science schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $51,815. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Capital Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value horticultural science schools. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $12,059. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in horticultural science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $19,844. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in horticultural science will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #4. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $47,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin River Falls one of the best values for horticultural science. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Students borrow a median of $22,251 to complete the horticultural science program here. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $48,791 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,251 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Minnesota Crookston earned the #6 position for value in horticultural science this year. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,288. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $23,793. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Crookston generally make around $57,915. That is a strong return on a $23,793 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value horticultural science schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Horticultural Science graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Washington State University placed #8 among the best values for horticultural science. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $17,539 to complete the horticultural science program here. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $47,531. Set against $17,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value horticultural science schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete the horticultural science program here. Horticultural Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,666 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in horticultural science this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $25,153. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $49,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Idaho landed the #11 spot for horticultural science value this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $23,844. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $44,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value horticultural science schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,156 to complete the horticultural science program here. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $42,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #13 spot for horticultural science value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $15,391. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $35,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value horticultural science schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #15 position for value in horticultural science this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $23,818 in student loans. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $42,939. That is a strong return on a $23,818 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value horticultural science schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $13,911 in student loans. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,712. That is a strong return on a $13,911 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for horticultural science value this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University came in at #18 for value in horticultural science this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $20,311. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $45,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #19 spot for horticultural science value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $47,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Arkansas placed #20 among the best values for horticultural science. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the horticultural science program here. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #21 among the best values for horticultural science. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $18,487 in student loans. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $36,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University placed #22 among the best values for horticultural science. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $61,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value horticultural science schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $24,271. Horticultural Science graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez earned the #24 position for value in horticultural science this year. Located in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,274. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $9,200. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez generally make around $30,053. That is a strong return on a $9,200 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Kansas State University came in at #25 for value in horticultural science this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $21,905 in student loans. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $50,115. That is a strong return on a $21,905 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Horticultural Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s horticultural science value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
