Compare 50 Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $47,782. Top programs: $64,497+.
Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management programs produce graduates earning between $26,715 and $64,497—a nearly $38K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 50 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The school name on your diploma matters far less than which program you choose.
Topping the list, the University of Florida's Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management program delivers $64,497 in median earnings—well above the $47,782 average across all 50 programs. Regional publics dominate the upper ranks: St. Joseph's University-New York ($59,616) and University of New Hampshire ($59,537) both outpace many better-known schools, reinforcing that outcomes track program quality, not prestige.
Strong earnings paired with low debt is the real benchmark. University of Florida graduates carry just $15,000 in student loans and face a 4.9% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' tier, meaning loan payments take a minimal bite out of post-grad income. Compare that to UNH's 9.9% burden on $26,814 in debt: same earnings tier, meaningfully different financial picture. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $64,497
Strong outcomes ($64,497) with 61% acceptance rate
4.9% payment burden | Excellent — payment under 8% of discretionary
12.0% family burden | Good — payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of FloridaPublic | $64,497 | 71 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Good |
| #2 | $59,616 | 21 | $22,000 | Good | $26,471 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $59,537 | 85 | $26,814 | Good | $36,545 | High | |
| #4 | $56,241 | 73 | $26,000 | Good | $34,260 | High | |
| #5 | $55,741 | 80 | $25,000 | Good | $38,368 | High | |
| #6 | $55,032 | 81 | $20,482 | Good | $28,767 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $54,621 | 45 | $19,250 | Good | $23,211 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $54,532 | 29 | $21,106 | Good | $13,695 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $54,302 | 7 | $21,058 | Good | $11,598 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Kean UniversityPublic | $54,232 | 12 | $23,250 | Good | $22,000 | Challenging |
| #11 | $53,522 | 20 | $22,250 | Good | $23,770 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $52,971 | 75 | $20,000 | Good | $36,000 | High | |
| #13 | $52,571 | 16 | $26,000 | Good | $26,233 | High | |
| #14 | $52,488 | 23 | $21,105 | Good | $21,004 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $52,363 | 34 | $20,470 | Good | $22,566 | Challenging | |
| #16 | $52,233 | 47 | $20,121 | Good | $23,000 | Challenging | |
| #17 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $51,233 | 56 | $24,000 | Good | $18,866 | Challenging |
| #18 | $51,206 | 12 | $19,500 | Good | $17,148 | Challenging | |
| #19 | $51,012 | 5 | $24,218 | Good | $25,252 | High | |
| #20 | $50,937 | 23 | $15,954 | Excellent | $12,721 | Manageable | |
| #21 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | $50,522 | 17 | $21,250 | Good | $27,283 | High |
| #22 | $50,241 | 44 | $19,500 | Good | $22,737 | Challenging | |
| #23 | $49,799 | 58 | $23,970 | Manageable | $15,047 | Challenging | |
| #24 | Indiana State UniversityPublic | $49,623 | 40 | $24,000 | Manageable | $17,049 | Challenging |
| #25 | $49,424 | 6 | $21,500 | Good | $17,781 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
