Horticulture at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public · Associate Degree · Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services

A 40% acceptance rate puts North Carolina State University at Raleigh in competitive admissions territory, with 26,389 students enrolled in Raleigh, NC.

Program Analysis

At $38,339 per year, Horticulture graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn slightly above the $31,250 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 22.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Horticulture graduates.

The median debt load of $14,075 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

With only 9 programs offering Horticulture nationally, this is a niche field. North Carolina State University at Raleigh ranks #4 among them.

With 12 registered apprenticeships mapped to Horticulture, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
63
Score
64
High End
Earnings $38,339/yr (23% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (408,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$401K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
22.5x
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)
$17,790
Out-of-state: $63,534
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,075
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for 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 →

Horticulture Career Guide

Horticulture opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Horticulture career guide →

Compare & Explore

Horticulture Overview

Horticulture at Other Schools

Other Majors at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Horticulture at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
A score of 63/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Horticulture field.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Horticulture program at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
Yes — 12 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Horticulture career paths, including Agricultural Service Worker. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at North Carolina State University at Raleigh.
Will Horticulture graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh find jobs?
With approximately 408,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Horticulture offers a very large employment pool. North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →