Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services at Brigham Young University-Idaho

BYU-Idaho graduates from this horticulture program start with notably low earnings—just $26,238, placing them in the bottom 5% nationally for this field. However, that starting point tells only part of the story. By year four, earnings jump 50% to $39,352, showing meaningful income progression even if they remain below the $44,751 national median. The program's primary advantage is debt: at $12,749, graduates carry less than half the national average of $23,900, making the low initial salary more manageable than it might appear.

The peculiar state ranking (60th percentile in Idaho) becomes clearer when you realize BYU-Idaho is currently the only school in the state reporting data for this program—they are essentially the benchmark. The real comparison point is national: these graduates earn about $18,000 less initially than typical horticulture bachelor's recipients elsewhere. For families drawn to BYU-Idaho's religious mission and low tuition, this tradeoff may align with other priorities. But if career earnings are the primary consideration, the combination of bottom-5% starting salaries and prolonged catch-up period suggests exploring programs at other institutions.

The earnings trajectory matters here. That 50% growth indicates graduates aren't stuck at entry-level wages forever, but even after four years, they're earning about $5,400 below the national median. The low debt softens the blow, yet parents should recognize this program represents a slower financial launch compared to horticulture degrees elsewhere.