Horticultural Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for horticultural science students pursuing a degree.
Where you study horticultural science matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Horticultural Science Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best 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.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Horticultural Science in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the horticultural science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best horticultural science schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 30 horticultural science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the horticultural science program make about $63,111 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete this degree.
Read more about the horticultural science program at Purdue University Main Campus
Iowa State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in horticultural science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 36 horticultural science degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $61,550. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in horticultural science from Iowa State University
University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in horticultural science, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 horticultural science degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,815 early in their careers. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans.
More information about a degree in horticultural science from University Of Florida
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in horticultural science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 horticultural science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813.
See the full horticultural science program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the top schools for horticultural science. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 horticultural science students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Horticultural Science graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $45,163 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,654 to complete this degree.
See the full horticultural science program report for Texas A And M University College Station
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best horticultural science schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 58 horticultural science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, horticultural science degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $42,008. Typical student debt for the program is $22,156.
See the full horticultural science program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best horticultural science schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 16 horticultural science students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Horticultural Science graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $42,861 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,687 to complete this degree.
See the full horticultural science program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Kansas State University came in at #8 for horticultural science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. About 34 horticultural science degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the horticultural science program make about $50,115 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,905.
Get the full horticultural science details for Kansas State University
University Of Georgia landed the #9 spot for horticultural science this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 30 horticultural science degrees in the most recent data year. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $47,698 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
See the full horticultural science program report for University Of Georgia
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for horticultural science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 13 horticultural science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the horticultural science program make about $42,712 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $13,911 in student loans.
Read more about the horticultural science program at Ohio State University Main Campus
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best horticultural science schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 36 horticultural science students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the horticultural science program make about $50,993 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete this degree.
Get the full horticultural science details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Capital Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best horticultural science schools. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Capital Community College awarded about 21 horticultural science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the horticultural science program make about $43,086 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete this degree.
See the full horticultural science program report for Capital Community College
Auburn University landed the #13 spot for horticultural science this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 horticultural science students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Horticultural Science graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $44,818 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in horticultural science from Auburn University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #14 for horticultural science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 horticultural science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the horticultural science program make about $58,659 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree.
Read more about the horticultural science program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Clemson University placed #15 among the best horticultural science schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 17 horticultural science students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their horticultural science degree from Clemson University earn around $46,395 in the first couple years of their career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $21,724 in student loans.
See the full horticultural science program report for Clemson University
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best horticultural science schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 11 horticultural science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their horticultural science degree from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn around $49,048 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,153.
Read more about the horticultural science program at North Dakota State University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #17 for horticultural science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of River Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 10 horticultural science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin River Falls in the most recent year. Horticultural Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $48,791 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,251.
More information about a degree in horticultural science from University Of Wisconsin River Falls
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #18 for horticultural science this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 21 horticultural science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their horticultural science degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $37,170 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #19 among the best horticultural science schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 103 horticultural science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the horticultural science program make about $36,980 in their early career. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans.
See the full horticultural science program report for Colorado State University Fort Collins
Michigan State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best horticultural science schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 horticultural science degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their horticultural science degree from Michigan State University earn around $35,701 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
See the full horticultural science program report for Michigan State University
Oregon State University landed the #21 spot for horticultural science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Corvallis. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 74 horticultural science degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the horticultural science program make about $38,397 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,096.
Read more about the horticultural science program at Oregon State University
Delaware Valley College placed #22 among the best horticultural science schools. Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Doylestown. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 horticultural science degrees were awarded at Delaware Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their horticultural science degree from Delaware Valley College earn around $40,012 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,278 to complete this degree.
Read more about the horticultural science program at Delaware Valley College
Missouri State University Springfield placed #23 among the best horticultural science schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 33 horticultural science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the horticultural science program make about $36,173 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,487.
More information about a degree in horticultural science from Missouri State University Springfield
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez landed the #24 spot for horticultural science this year. This large public university is located in the city of Mayaguez. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez awarded about 18 horticultural science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the horticultural science program make about $30,053 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,200 to complete this degree.
Get the full horticultural science details for University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Horticultural Science is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 24 schools evaluated.
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).
