by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, ornamental horticulture was the 1,050 most popular major nationwide with 160 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 45 over the prior year, a growth of 28.1%.
Our 2023 Best Ornamental Horticulture Schools ranking analyzes 6 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for ornamental horticulture students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ornamental horticulture programs later in this article.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to ornamental horticulture. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and monitoring/assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most ornamental horticulture degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional ornamental horticulture certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different ornamental horticulture degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in ornamental horticulture to something that takes less time like a . Different ornamental horticulture degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to ornamental horticulture, with approximately 24.0% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for ornamental horticulture workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 25.0% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 15.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 14.3% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 13.9% |
| High School Diploma | 9.6% |
53.0% of ornamental horticulture workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in ornamental horticulture have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the ornamental horticulture career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your ornamental horticulture degree? Ornamental Horticulture careers are expected to grow 1.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ornamental horticulture.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers | 1,020,700 | -0.8% |
| Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Supervisors | 198,600 | 11.4% |
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | 13,600 | 7.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for ornamental horticulture graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for ornamental horticulture graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers ornamental horticulture grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | $90,890 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers | $79,940 |
| Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Supervisors | $51,280 |
With over 37 different ornamental horticulture degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased ornamental horticulture school rankings to help you with this.
Ornamental Horticulture is one of 7 different types of Horticulture programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations | 1,617 |
| L&scaping & Groundskeeping | 781 |
| Turf & Turfgrass Management | 340 |
| Plant Nursery Operations & Management | 121 |
| Greenhouse Operations & Management | 78 |
