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, 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 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 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 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 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Horticulture careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering agriculture & natural resources.

Read the full Horticulture career guide →

Compare & Explore

Horticulture Overview

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 Horticulture program score?
This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Horticulture programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Horticulture program at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
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 Ohio State University-Main Campus.
Is there demand for Horticulture workers?
The career paths mapped to Horticulture have roughly 408,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →