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Cheapest Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton delivers the nation's most affordable Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services education at just $6,061 net cost, yet its graduates earn $42,123 annually,the highest starting salary among these programs. This remarkable value proposition reflects Georgia's position as a major agricultural state, where the horticulture industry generates over $1.3 billion annually and employs thousands across nurseries, landscaping companies, and agricultural research facilities. The $10,870 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options among the top 15 programs shows how strategic school selection can dramatically impact both educational debt and career outcomes. Public institutions dominate this affordable tier, with 13 of the 15 most economical programs offered at state schools where in-state tuition advantages help keep costs manageable for residents pursuing careers in plant science, greenhouse management, and horticultural business.
41
Programs
$6,061 – $32,478
Net Price Range
$36,256
Avg. Program Earnings
65.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

41 Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,061 $3,195 29.1% 67.0%
2 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
3 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
4 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
5 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
6 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
7 $10,874 $13,120 49.7% 57.2%
8 $11,593 $7,272 28.2%
9 $13,816 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
10 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
11 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
12 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
13 $15,501 $9,815 62.9% 75.2%
14 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
15 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
16 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
17 $16,334 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
18 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
19 $16,931 $16,080 78.8% 73.8%
20 $16,931 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
21 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
22 $17,525 $9,748 70.0% 78.9%
23 $17,980 $8,676 40.9% 84.0%
24 $18,045 $12,606 56.4% 94.0%
25 $18,219 $9,299 59.6% 86.1%
26 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
27 $18,597 $33,710 65.9% 91.3%
28 $19,614 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
29 $19,899 $16,408 71.0% 76.4%
30 $20,071 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
31 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
32 $20,332 $12,896 66.9% 90.8%
33 $20,865 $11,400 48.9% 49.8%
34 $20,924 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
35 $22,112 $15,554 87.9% 43.0%
36 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
37 $26,067 $34,250 64.3% 70.4%
38 $27,243 $43,300 52.2% 95.4%
39 $28,901 $40,408 52.1% 73.3%
40 $29,664 $42,360 69.3% 56.6%
41 $32,478 $40,408 54.9% 83.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College such an strong value for horticulture students?

Abraham Baldwin offers the lowest net cost at $6,061 while delivering the highest graduate earnings at $42,123 annually. The program maintains a 29.10% graduation rate with average debt of just $20,500. This combination of minimal educational investment and strong earning potential creates an impressive return on investment for students entering the horticulture field.

How do public universities compare to private options for affordable horticulture education?

Public institutions claim 13 of the 15 most affordable spots, with costs ranging from $6,061 to $15,624. Brigham Young University-Idaho stands out as the lone private option under $8,000 at $7,131 net cost. The University of Florida and New Mexico State University both offer sub-$7,000 programs while maintaining strong academic reputations and graduation rates above 50%.

Is the University of Florida's low cost sustainable given its 91.50% graduation rate?

The University of Florida achieves a remarkable balance with a $6,351 net cost and 91.50% graduation rate, the highest among affordable programs. This efficiency stems from strong state funding and large enrollment that spreads costs across many students. The 23.35% acceptance rate indicates selective admissions that contribute to high completion rates.

Does choosing a more expensive program necessarily lead to better career outcomes?

The data reveals mixed results, as Abraham Baldwin's $6,061 program produces $42,123 earners while Brigham Young University's $14,487 program yields $41,205 graduates. Brigham Young University-Idaho offers strong value at $7,131 with $31,038 earnings and low $11,999 debt loads. Success depends more on program quality and regional job markets than pure cost.

Where do the most affordable programs cluster geographically?

The Southeast and Mountain West dominate affordable horticulture education, with Georgia, Florida, New Mexico, and Idaho offering sub-$8,000 options. This geographic distribution reflects regional agricultural economies and state funding priorities for agricultural education. These areas also feature strong job markets in nurseries, landscaping, and agricultural research that support graduate employment.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.