Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services (Bachelor's Degree) at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,751

Est. from national median (9 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,900

Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

Similar horticulture programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $44,700, paired with debt near $24,000—a ratio that looks workable on paper but deserves scrutiny given the field's realities. Horticulture careers often involve seasonal work, nursery management, or landscaping businesses where income can fluctuate significantly. That $44,700 figure represents what comparable bachelor's programs produce nationally, but actual outcomes at NDSU could vary based on local market conditions and whether graduates stay in the northern plains region or relocate to areas with year-round growing seasons.

The debt load itself is manageable relative to that income projection, but consider what "manageable" means practically: monthly payments around $270 on a standard plan against take-home pay from a $44,700 salary. For someone planning to start their own nursery or landscaping business, carrying that debt while building a client base adds real pressure. If your child is passionate about plants but unsure about the business side, this bachelor's degree may be overbuilding for roles where an associate degree or certificate could get them working sooner with less debt.

Given the lack of program-specific data here, visit campus and ask pointed questions: where do recent graduates actually work, and what do they earn in their first few years? The difference between managing a garden center in Fargo versus working for a commercial greenhouse operation elsewhere could dramatically shift whether these estimated numbers hold true.

Where North Dakota State University-Main Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all applied horticulture and horticultural business services bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo	$10,857	$44,751*	—	$23,900*	—
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins	$12,896	$51,005*	$54,616	—*	—
Delaware Valley UniversityDoylestown	$43,300	$47,375*	—	$26,000*	0.55
Brigham Young UniversityProvo	$6,496	$46,439*	—	—*	—
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln	$10,108	$46,289*	$47,645	$24,998*	0.54
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural CollegeTifton	$3,195	$44,751*	$55,244	$25,000*	0.56
National Median	—	$44,751*	—	$23,900*	0.53

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with applied horticulture and horticultural business services graduates

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

$87,980/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forest and Conservation Workers

Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.

$43,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

$38,470/yrJobs growth:

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation

Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or crops. Usually requires specific training and state or federal certification.

$38,470/yrJobs growth:

Farm and Home Management Educators

Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and workforce requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At North Dakota State University-Main Campus, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 9 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.