Applied Horticulture at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services

Ohio State University-Main Campus's 51% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 44,617 students in Columbus, OH.

Program Analysis

At $34,190 per year, Applied Horticulture graduates from Ohio State University-Main Campus earn slightly above the $31,250 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 16.8x 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 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Applied Horticulture graduates.

The median debt load of $12,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

With only 9 programs offering Applied Horticulture nationally, this is a niche field. Ohio State University-Main Campus ranks #6 among them.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $34,190 to $42,621 shows 25% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
59
Score
60
High End
Earnings $34,190/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (408,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$444K
5.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
17.2x
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)
$25,718
Out-of-state: $76,730
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,621
25% 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 Ohio State University-Main Campus

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ohio State University-Main Campus's Applied Horticulture program score?
This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Applied Horticulture programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Can I learn Applied Horticulture through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 12 registered apprenticeships connected to Applied Horticulture occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Applied Horticulture graduates?
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 →