2027 Best Value Horticultural Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Horticultural Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/horticultural-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for horticultural science students.
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2027 Best Value Horticultural Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in horticultural science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Horticultural Science Schools
Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value horticultural science schools in the Great Lakes Region. 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. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value horticultural science schools. 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, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for horticultural science graduates is $22,251. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $48,791. That is a strong return on a $22,251 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the best values for horticultural science. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $13,911 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for horticultural science. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in horticultural science will find it at Michigan State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $35,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #6 for value in horticultural science this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Horticultural Science graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.