2026 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
For return on investment in horticultural science, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the horticultural science program here. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $36,372. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in horticultural science, landing the #2 spot this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the horticultural science program here. Horticultural Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in horticultural science will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the horticultural science program here. Horticultural Science graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Georgia came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value horticultural science schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the horticultural science program here. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $40,794. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in horticultural science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $28,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value horticultural science schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $17,539 in student loans. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $47,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #7 spot for horticultural science value this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $22,251 in student loans. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $48,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value horticultural science schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #9 position for value in horticultural science this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete the horticultural science program here. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $61,010. That is a strong return on a $16,666 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #10 spot for horticultural science value this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $19,125 in student loans. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Set against $19,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value horticultural science schools. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public school located in the city of Mayaguez. Students from in state pay about $5,274 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,200 to complete the horticultural science program here. 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. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University placed #12 among the best values for horticultural science. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,311 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value horticultural science schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,818 to complete the horticultural science program here. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in horticultural science this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete the horticultural science program here. Horticultural Science graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for horticultural science. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $22,337. Horticultural Science graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #16 among the best values for horticultural science. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $22,156. Horticultural Science graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $42,008 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,156 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #17 for value in horticultural science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the horticultural science program here. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #18 among the best values for horticultural science. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $15,391. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $56,395. Set against $15,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #19 for value in horticultural science this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Kentucky earned the #20 position for value in horticultural science this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $24,094. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #21 spot for horticultural science value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $21,905 in student loans. Horticultural Science graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $50,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,905 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $20,500. Early-career horticultural science graduates make about $49,393. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #23 position for value in horticultural science this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Morrisville State College earned the #24 position for value in horticultural science this year. Morrisville State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Morrisville. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,245. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $20,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Morrisville State College generally make around $41,207. That is a strong return on a $20,290 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in horticultural science this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $16,105 to complete the horticultural science program here. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,712. Set against $16,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Horticultural Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s horticultural science value ranking:
Other Horticultural Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Horticultural Science rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
[Horticultural Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/horticultural-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong horticultural science education at a price that pays off.
