Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Debt to Income Ratio
Why Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 49.1%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $35707 and average student debt of $17538, the financial outlook for Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $35707, with grads carrying about $17538 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.49—which is excellent for paying off loans quickly.
Each year, over 3932 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other (CIP 01.0699) is a specialized field that focuses on the production, marketing, and management of high-value plants and specialized green spaces. While traditional horticulture focuses on the science of growing, this "Other" category is often used for modern, interdisciplinary tracks such as cannabis cultivation management, therapeutic horticulture, interiorscaping (indoor plant design), and horticultural therapy. It is a path for those who want to combine "green thumb" skills with sophisticated business strategy.
This field is ideal for "horticultural entrepreneurs"—individuals who want to manage complex plant-based businesses, from high-end landscape design firms to industrial-scale medicinal plant facilities.
What Is an Applied Horticulture/Business (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on the commercial application of plant science. Because it is categorized as "Other," these programs often allow for niche specializations like Arboriculture (tree care), Turfgrass Management for professional sports, or Floral Design Management. Students learn how to not only grow plants but also how to price them, market them, and manage the labor and logistics of a green industry business. It is a practical, career-focused major that bridges the gap between the greenhouse and the boardroom.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Green Industry Managers" to oversee multi-million dollar landscaping or nursery operations
- Develop experts in Medicinal Plant Production and regulatory compliance
- Prepare professionals for Sustainable Urban Design, including the installation of green roofs and living walls
- Study the "Human-Plant Connection" for careers in horticultural therapy or wellness center management
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that a successful horticultural business requires a balance of biological health, aesthetic appeal, and financial profitability.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Greenhouse Automation and climate control systems for year-round production
- Design landscape plans using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software
- Perform "Pest and Disease Diagnostics" to protect high-value plant inventory
- Manage "Inventory and Supply Chains" for perishable plant products
- Understand Horticultural Law, including plant patents and labor regulations
- Develop marketing strategies for "Green Brands" and eco-friendly products
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of plant biology and business management:
- Plant Identification: Learning to recognize thousands of ornamental, medicinal, and native species.
- Nursery and Garden Center Management: The logistics of retail and wholesale plant sales.
- Horticultural Therapy: Using plants and gardening to improve mental and physical health.
- Arboriculture: The science of planting and caring for individual trees in urban settings.
- Turfgrass Science: Managing high-performance surfaces for golf courses and stadiums.
- Small Business Accounting: Budgeting and financial planning specifically for the agricultural sector.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles in business ownership, facility management, and specialized consulting.
Common job roles include:
- Landscape Operations Manager: Overseeing large crews and projects for commercial clients.
- Cannabis Cultivation Manager: Leading the production and compliance of medicinal plant facilities.
- Head Groundskeeper: Managing the turf and gardens for sports arenas or luxury resorts.
- Horticultural Therapist: Working in hospitals or senior centers to facilitate plant-based healing.
- Interiorscape Designer: Creating and maintaining indoor "jungles" for corporate offices and hotels.
- Nursery Owner/Operator: Growing and selling specialized plant varieties to the public.
Where Can You Work?
Horticultural business specialists work in a variety of "green" environments:
- Commercial Landscaping Firms: Designing and maintaining outdoor spaces for businesses and cities.
- Professional Sports Complexes: Managing the highly specialized grass on playing fields.
- Medicinal and Hemp Facilities: Leading high-tech indoor or outdoor cultivation sites.
- Botanical Gardens and Parks: Managing public plant collections and educational programs.
- Self-Employment: Launching a boutique nursery, floral shop, or design consultancy.
How Much Can You Earn?
Salaries are often determined by the scale of the business managed and the level of technical specialization.
- Horticultural Managers: Median annual salary of approximately $65,000–$85,000.
- Turfgrass Managers (Pro Sports): Salaries can range from $70,000 to over $100,000.
- Cultivation Directors: In the cannabis or medicinal industry, salaries often range from $80,000 to $130,000.
- Landscape Designers: Median annual salary of around $55,000–$75,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the physical and mental variety. You must be physically capable of working in greenhouses and outdoors in all weather conditions. At the same time, you must be sharp enough to handle complex spreadsheets, chemical calculations, and client negotiations. It requires a "builder's mindset"—the ability to see a project through from a seedling or a blueprint to a finished, profitable result.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love working with plants but also have an "entrepreneurial spark"
- Enjoy seeing the tangible results of your work (like a finished garden or a blooming crop)
- Want a career that combines science, art, and business
- Like being active and outdoors rather than sitting at a desk all day
- Are interested in niche markets like medicinal plants, vertical walls, or high-end tree care
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Biology, Business, Art/Design, and Chemistry
- Join an FFA chapter and compete in "Floriculture" or "Nursery/Landscape" events
- Start a small side-business, like lawn care or selling plants at a farmers' market
- Learn the basics of design software or simple accounting
- Volunteer for a local park or community garden to learn plant identification
The ability to combine plant mastery with business strategy to create beautiful, productive, and profitable green spaces is the hallmark of a successful horticulture professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor