Horticulture at Lake Land College

Mattoon, IL · Public · Certificate · Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services

a compact campus enrolling 2,492 students in Mattoon, IL.

Program Analysis

Lake Land College's Horticulture graduates start at $7,972/yr, trailing the $31,250 national average by 74%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 19.5x 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 Horticulture graduates.

With only 9 programs offering Horticulture nationally, this is a niche field. Lake Land College ranks #9 among them.

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

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
47
Score
48
High End
Earnings $7,972/yr (-74% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (408,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$83K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
19.5x
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)
$4,280
Out-of-state: $13,906

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

What can you do with a Horticulture credential from Lake Land College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Horticulture career guide →

Compare & Explore

Horticulture Overview

Horticulture at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lake Land College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lake Land College's Horticulture program score?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Horticulture programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Lake Land College a good choice for Horticulture despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Lake Land College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Horticulture program at Lake Land College?
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 Lake Land College.
Is there demand for Horticulture workers?
At 408,500 annual openings, Horticulture has a very large employment base. Lake Land College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →