Applied Horticulture at Spartanburg Community College

Spartanburg, SC · Public · Associate Degree · Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services

with a mid-sized student body of 5,063 in Spartanburg, SC.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,260 track close to the $31,250 national median for Applied Horticulture programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 30.3x 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 Applied Horticulture graduates.

With only 9 programs offering Applied Horticulture nationally, this is a niche field. Spartanburg Community College ranks #7 among them.

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
58
Low End
59
Score
60
High End
Earnings $29,260/yr (-6% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (408,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$306K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
30.3x
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)
$10,092
Out-of-state: $20,220

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 Spartanburg Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Applied Horticulture at Spartanburg Community College?
At 59/100, the score looks reasonable — but Applied Horticulture is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Are there apprenticeship options for Applied Horticulture?
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 →