Applied Horticulture at Front Range Community College

Westminster, CO · Public · Certificate · Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services

enrolling 11,132 students in Westminster, CO.

Program Analysis

Front Range Community College's Applied Horticulture program produces graduates earning $28,703/yr — within striking distance of the $31,250 national average for this trade.

With a 84.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 28% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Applied Horticulture career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $10,344 in median debt clears fast against $28,703 in annual earnings.

Applied Horticulture is offered at just 9 schools in our analysis. Front Range Community College's #1 ranking should be read in that context.

A 37% earnings increase from $28,703 to $39,243 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 12 apprenticeship pathways connected to Applied Horticulture reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
70
Score
72
High End
Earnings $28,703/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (408,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$418K
8.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
88.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,740
Out-of-state: $16,974
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,344
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,243
37% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Applied Horticulture graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980 -1.3% 63%
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350 +4.1% 50%
First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers $59,330 +2.5% 72%
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
$87,980
-1.3% growth 63% AI-proof
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
$86,350
+4.1% growth 50% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
$59,330
+2.5% growth 72% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

About Applied Horticulture Careers

Your career in horticulture starts with your hands in the soil. As an entry-level landscaping or groundskeeping worker, you’ll spend your days outdoors operating mowers and trimmers, planting seasonal beds, and installing irrigation systems. You’ll learn the trade from the ground up, transforming ordinary spaces into beautiful, functional landscapes.

Read the full Applied Horticulture career guide →

Compare & Explore

Applied Horticulture Overview

Applied Horticulture at Other Schools

Other Majors at Front Range Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Applied Horticulture at Front Range Community College?
A score of 70/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Front Range Community College's Applied Horticulture graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Is Front Range Community College one of the best schools for Applied Horticulture?
The #1 ranking out of 9 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Applied Horticulture through an apprenticeship instead?
Applied Horticulture connects to 12 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Applied Horticulture workers?
The career paths mapped to Applied Horticulture have roughly 408,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →