Horticulture at Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
43
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

Program Analysis

While the raw earnings data might seem modest, your degree from Texas Tech is rooted in the powerful West Texas agricultural economy. This isn't a theoretical program; you'll be immersed in a region dominated by large-scale commercial farming, from cotton to burgeoning vineyards. The career paths here often involve hands-on management and operations roles within this regional ecosystem, which can have a different salary structure than coastal ag-tech hubs. Your advantage is a practical, business-focused education situated directly within a major hub of American agriculture, giving you direct access to employers who value that real-world grounding. To maximize your opportunities, aggressively pursue internships with the large agricultural producers and service companies right in the Lubbock area. Building that local network before you even graduate will be your most valuable asset.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to 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

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

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 Horticulture at Texas Tech University?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Horticulture programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Texas Tech University a good choice for 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 →