Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nebraska-Lincoln's Applied Horticulture program outperforms the national median by nearly $1,500 in first-year earnings while maintaining debt below the national average—a solid combination for a field that isn't known for explosive salaries. Graduates earn $46,289 right out of school with just $24,998 in debt, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54. The program ranks in the 73rd percentile nationally, placing it firmly in the top third of similar programs across the country.

The trajectory here is steady rather than spectacular: earnings inch up just 3% over four years to $47,645. For context, most horticulture programs don't see dramatic mid-career jumps—this is a field where practical skills and experience matter more than credential inflation. The relatively low debt burden becomes even more important given this reality, as graduates aren't betting on rapid salary growth to outpace their loans.

The major caveat: these numbers come from a small sample (under 30 graduates), so your child's experience could vary more than usual. Since this is Nebraska's only bachelor's program in horticulture, in-state students don't have much basis for comparison. For a student genuinely interested in the horticultural industry and planning to stay in the region, the combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings makes this a defensible choice—just recognize you're investing in a stable career path, not a lucrative one.