Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services at South Dakota State University

A debt load around $24,000 against first-year earnings of roughly $45,000—both figures drawn from national peer programs—suggests a manageable financial start for horticulture graduates. The 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, meaning graduates would owe less than half their anticipated first-year salary. For a field that combines agricultural science with business management, these numbers align with what similar bachelor's programs produce nationwide.

What complicates the picture is the earnings trajectory: four years out, salaries hover around $42,000, actually dipping slightly from the estimated starting point. This pattern is unusual and may reflect the realities of horticultural businesses—perhaps graduates initially land greenhouse management or nursery operations roles, then shift into self-employment or smaller operations that offer more autonomy but less immediate income growth. It could also indicate that some graduates transition into related agricultural fields with different pay scales.

The practical reality is that $24,000 in debt remains serviceable even if earnings plateau in the low-to-mid $40,000s, but this isn't a program where your child should expect rapid salary progression. If they're passionate about plant science and agricultural business, the financial foundation appears solid enough to build a career. Just understand that comparable programs suggest modest but stable earnings rather than aggressive income growth in those critical early years after graduation.