Compare 11 Public Horticulture. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $55,329. Top programs: $71,066+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Horticulture tells a different story. Across 11 programs, earnings range from $32K to $71K—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The school at the top of this list may surprise you, and the gaps between programs are too large to ignore when making your decision.
Topping the list, Brigham Young University's program delivers $71K in median earnings—well above the $55K field average. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus follows closely at $70K, and Colorado State University-Fort Collins rounds out the top three at $67K. Three programs, three different institutions, all outperforming the average—program selection, not prestige, is driving these results.
BYU leads on affordability, too. Graduates borrow just $11,069 in student loans and carry a 3.1% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' category, meaning loan payments are easily absorbed by post-grad income. For families weighing parent loans as well, BYU still wins: a 6.3% combined burden, also rated 'Excellent.' That combination of high earnings and low debt burden is rare. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $71,066
Strong outcomes ($69,540) with 91% acceptance
3.1% payment burden | Excellent (under 8% of discretionary)
6.3% family burden | Excellent (under 8% of discretionary)
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $71,066 | 22 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #2 | $69,540 | 27 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $66,984 | 16 | $20,000 | Excellent | $36,000 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $61,963 | 5 | $16,023 | Excellent | $20,160 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $59,376 | 13 | $21,000 | Excellent | $25,798 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $54,128 | 58 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $52,757 | 17 | $16,750 | Excellent | $9,604 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $48,403 | 13 | $22,250 | Good | $28,000 | High | |
| #9 | Delaware Valley UniversityPrivate | $47,375 | 9 | — | — | — | — |
| #10 | $45,177 | 16 | $21,543 | Manageable | $19,500 | High | |
| #11 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $31,848 | 16 | — | — | — | — |
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 →
