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Applied Horticulture at Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,598/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (28% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (408,500 openings/yr)

ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #8 of 9 Applied Horticulture programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Applied Horticulture graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$452K	$455K	$430K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.5x	9.6x	9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.6x	4.7x	4.4x
Probability of Field Employment	42%	40%	35%
DegreeOutlook Score	45	45	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$47,408

Out-of-state: $97,804 (4.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$80,284

-69% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,750

6.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,598 place Texas Tech University below the $40,808 national median for Applied Horticulture — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

A 9.6x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Applied Horticulture career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $18,750 against $34,598/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Applied Horticulture is offered at just 9 schools in our analysis. Texas Tech University's #8 ranking should be read in that context.

About Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 32,446 in Lubbock, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas Tech University →

Top Career Paths

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr

First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers $59,330/yr

View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Applied Horticulture at Other Schools

Other Majors at Texas Tech University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Applied Horticulture at Texas Tech University?

At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Applied Horticulture programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Texas Tech University a good choice for Applied Horticulture despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Texas Tech University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →