Top Cannabis Horticulture Degree Programs
The top cannabis horticulture degree programs focuses on the science of cultivating and managing cannabis plants for non-personal use. These programs include degrees from community colleges, traditional colleges, universities, and career schools. New education programs are emerging that focus on cultivation part of the cannabis sector.
This article was originally published November 10, 2025.
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Keep reading to find some of the best cannabis degree programs in cannabis horticulture!
1. Pennsylvania Institute of Technology
AS in Cannabis Horticulture
The Cannabis Horticulture associate degree program at the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology prepares graduates to start a business, work for a dispensary, or manage a growing and extraction operation. Additionally, students can transfer credits from this cannabis horticulture degree to a university if they want to earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Location: Media, Pennsylvania
- Credit: 60 credits
- Delivery: in-person on campus
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Cost: $485 per credit
2. Finger Lakes Community College
AAS in Horticulture: Cannabis Biology and Cultivation Track
Finger Lakes Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Horticulture with a Cannabis Biology and Cultivation Track. This cannabis horticulture degree track combines core horticulture courses with three cannabis-specific classes that blend classroom learning and seminars with hands-on training. Regional experts, growers, and professionals provide first-hand knowledge of the regulatory and legal frameworks in cannabis cultivation and distribution. Graduates of this cannabis horticulture degree program are ready for a career in cannabis or the horticulture industry.
- Location: Canandaigua, New York
- Credit: 60 credits
- Delivery: in-person on campus
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Cost: $220 per credit (more)
3. SUNY Morrisville
BT in Horticulture Business Management and AAS in Horticulture and
The State University of New York (SUNY) Morrisville’s cannabis horticulture degree program has two options. Students first earn the 27 credit Specialty Crops & Cannabis Production Certificate with applied training in specialty crops with an emphasis on the emerging cannabis industry. This certificate stacks so students can transfer to either the two-year horticulture Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree or the four-year horticulture business management Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree.
- Location: Morrisville, New York
- Credit: 120 credits for BT and 60 credits for AAS
- Delivery: Face-to-Face on Campus
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Cost: $235 per credit in state (more)
4. SUNY Niagara
AAS in Horticulture with an emphasis in Cannabis
The State University of New York (SUNY) Niagara’s cannabis horticulture degree program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and field experience necessary to excel in their careers and build a greener community. Coursework in this cannabis agriculture degree is based on real-world projects similar to those professionals encounter in the industry.
- Location: Sanborn, New York
- Credit: 62 credits
- Delivery: in-person on campus
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Cost: $218 per credit in-state, $436 out of state
5. Kishwaukee College
AAS in Horticulture with a Cannabis & Hemp Cultivation Certificate
Students at Kishwaukee College can earn an Associate in Applied Science in Horticulture degree with sixty credits. Elective courses for the degree completion focus on the seven degree options. With four elective classes they can complete the Cannabis & Hemp Cultivation Certificate along with an AAS.
- Location: Malta, Illinois
- Credit: degree 60 credits, certificate 25 credits
- Delivery: Face-to-Face on Campus or Asynchronous Web-Based
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Cost: $152 per credit
What is a cannabis horticulture degree?
A cannabis horticulture degree is an academic program that provides students with a scientific and practical education in the cultivation, management, and harvesting of the cannabis plant. It combines traditional horticultural principles with cannabis-specific knowledge, preparing graduates for technical and managerial roles in the legal cannabis industry.
If you are not interedted in earning a degre, or already have one, a cannabis horticulture certification may be a better choice. These are shorter programs that provide essential skills to prepare you for the workforce.
What do cannabis horticulture degree programs teach?
Cannabis horticulture programs teach the science and skills required to cultivate cannabis plants in both commercial and personal settings. These degrees are sometimes called marijuana plant science degrees or cannabis farming degrees. The curriculum covers the entire plant life cycle, from seed to harvest and processing, along with business and legal compliance aspects of the industry. Key topics and skills covered include:
Cultivation Fundamentals:
- Botany and Genetics: Understanding the biology of the cannabis plant, including its different life cycles (vegetative and flowering), genetics, and plant propagation methods like cloning.
- Growing Environments: The principles of setting up and managing various growing environments, including indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse operations. This often involves learning about lighting sources, climate control, and environmental factors.
- Soil and Nutrient Management: Proper soil composition, growing media, and the essentials of providing appropriate nutrients and water for optimal plant health and yield.
- Pest and Disease Management: Identifying and managing common pests, diseases, and threats to cannabis plants, including the development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans.
Harvesting and Processing:
- Harvesting Techniques: Determining the correct time to harvest, often based on the maturity of the glandular trichomes.
- Post-Harvest Procedures: Proper techniques for drying, trimming, curing, and storing the harvested product to maintain quality and longevity.
- Extraction Basics (some programs): Some programs may introduce the principles behind cannabis chemistry and basic processing or extraction methods to create various products.
Business and Compliance:
- Industry Regulations: An in-depth review of the laws, policies, and FDA regulations governing the cannabis industry.
- Cultivation Operations: Managing the practical aspects of a commercial facility, including inventory tracking (seed-to-sale), sanitation procedures, and security protocols.
- Business Practices: Some programs cover broader business skills such as marketing, sales, inventory management, and even negotiation, depending on the program’s focus (certificate vs. degree).
What can you do with a cannabis horticulture degree?
Some postgraduate cannabis horticulture jobs in the cannabis industry with a cannabis horticulture degree or marijuana plant science degree include:
Cannabis Plant Breeder
Also called a Cannabis Strain Development Specialist, this role involves cultivating different cannabis strains with specific characteristics. Strain development focuses on traits like potency, flavor, and growth patterns. Each strain has a unique genetic makeup influencing its effects and appearance. Cannabis Plant Breeders aim to create diverse options, catering to various preferences and medicinal needs. Descriptions often highlight key features such as THC/CBD content, terpene profile and flowering time, and aiding consumers and choosing strains aligned with their desired outcomes.
AVERAGE SALARY: $99,873 (ZipRecruiter)
Cannabis Cultivator
Also called Growers, cannabis cultivators are experts at managing the planting, growing, and harvesting of cannabis plants, and those in this role are crucial in helping supply the initial product. A person in this role is charged with safely separating cannabis chemical compounds called cannabinoid-rich trichomes from cannabis flowers.
AVERAGE SALARY: $21 per hour (ZipRecruiter)
Cannabis Extraction Technician
Cannabis Extraction Technicians safely separate cannabis chemical compounds called cannabinoid-rich trichomes from cannabis flowers.
AVERAGE SALARY: $20 per hour (ZipRecruiter)
Cannabis Edibles Manufacturing Specialist
An individual in this position creates cannabis-infused edible products. Edibles manufacturing specialists also assist edibles managers to prep all edibles under good manufacturing practices to meet compliance standards.
AVERAGE SALARY: $14 to over $25 per hour
How much can you make in cannabis horticulture?
The amount of money you can make with a cannabis farming degree or certificate from one of these cannabis agriculture programs varies. Geographic location, experience, and also the employer can affect how much you earn.
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