Applied Horticulture at Kirkwood Community College
serving 7,438 students in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Program Analysis
At $35,900 per year, Applied Horticulture graduates from Kirkwood Community College earn slightly above the $31,250 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 34.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Applied Horticulture programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Applied Horticulture's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $11,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
This program is one of 9 schools offering Applied Horticulture in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.
Five-year earnings of $40,840 are relatively flat compared to the $35,900 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.
Applied Horticulture offers 12 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Applied Horticulture Overview
Applied Horticulture at Other Schools
Other Majors at Kirkwood Community College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.