Every career starts somewhere. Laborers such as plumbers and electricians may hone their crafts in trade schools and with apprenticeships, while artists such as actors and musicians may have spent countless hours, if not weeks, in summer camps and classes. However, most modern careers take shape in one place: college! Most skilled careers require some form of college degree, and even if they don’t, a degree certainly boosts your chances. The field of landscape design is no exception, and you may want to know what the best places to study land design are!
The best places to study landscape design are the University of Washington, the State University of New York, the University of Minnesota, the University of Tennessee, and Utah State University. These universities have degrees dedicated to landscape design or landscape architecture which are some of the highest-rated in these fields. Landscape design and landscape architecture courses will often feature much of the same content, so whichever one you choose to get, you can get a great job in landscape design!
If you are interested in pursuing a career in landscape design, these places are your best bet! Of course, you will want to get more information on them before making any decisions- you don’t want to make a huge decision like enrolling in a college by picking one based on its name, after all! You will want to consider their cost, available programs, and proximity to yourself. While we can’t know how close they are to you, we can certainly help with the first two pieces of information- if you’re interested in learning more, read on!
University of Washington
The University of Washington in Seattle, Washington comes in as a decent, if not outright good, option for potential landscape designers. The University of Option offers a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program that can be completed in 4 years, with an option to complete it in five years for people who may have prior obligations.
However, this standard bachelor’s degree is not what makes the University of Washington attractive to those who want to be landscape designers. The shining star of the University of Washington is its MLA program, or its ‘Master of Landscape Architecture,’ which offers a master’s degree in its titular field. The interesting part of this degree program is that, depending on the student’s prior education, the MLA program can take as little as two to three years to complete!
Additionally, the University of Washington comes in on the lower end of average tuition, with residents of Washington State only paying $11,000 per year on average. However, non-residents may have to pay almost $40,000 per year, almost double the average rate for public colleges in the United States.
Ultimately, the University of Washington is a great choice to achieve a degree at a rapid pace, though its benefits are best-taken advantage of by existing residents of the evergreen state. However, If you live outside of Washington, it may be in your best interest to look elsewhere unless you can afford the high tuition.
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State University of New York
The State University of New York is less of a university and more of a system of universities and colleges, including the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York. That name may be a mouthful, but it may be one that you should become accustomed to saying. This college of the State University of New York is, as the name implies, based entirely upon courses and degrees that involve biology, botany, horticulture, and forestry.
Any botany or horticulture degree could get you ahead in the field of landscape design, but luckily, the State University of New York offers several degrees tailor-made for the landscape design industry. Degrees and programs offered include a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree that also includes an accelerated version which allows you to complete your course more expediently.
Also offered are master’s degree courses in landscape architecture and related science, although the State University of New York boasts another major talking point- they offer interdisciplinary doctorate programs in fields related to landscape design. If you are interested in taking your landscape design career to the next level, you can pursue this doctorate program and ensure that you secure a high salary at any job you apply for!
In terms of tuition, the State University of New York is extremely competitive- residents of New York State may only have to pay five thousand dollars per undergraduate year for an associate’s degree. Even out-of-state residents do not pay much, with tuition reaching $17,000 at most. Between the many degrees available, high levels of education, and low cost of tuition, the State University of New York is an exceptional option for anybody potential landscape designer!
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University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota may not have much exceptional to offer, with no fancy doctorates available in the field or absurdly low tuition, but they do offer some quality programs. The University of Minnesota’s bachelor program allows potential landscape designers to achieve an undergraduate degree in the standard for years. Furthermore, this coursework is tailored for landscape design, not landscape architecture- you will focus more on artistic, horticultural aspects of the field than the architectural and construction-based ends.
However, if you thought the University of Minnesota entirely lacked bells and whistles, you would be wrong! The undergraduate degree program is a part of the university’s “accelerated landscape design and planning/master of landscape architecture” program. This program not only allows students to achieve their usual four-year degree but its accelerated nature means that a full master’s degree in landscape architecture can be achieved in a total of six years. Not only is your master’s degree completed faster, but you also have access to both landscape design and landscape architecture knowledge bases!
The University of Minnesota, however, lacks a bit in terms of tuition. While it falls in line with average costs in the United States, it trails very far behind the State University of New York- average tuition for residents of Minnesota will pay $15,000 per year, while out-of-state students may pay upwards of $30,000 per year.
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee gains mention with its many available options; this university offers the standard “Master of Landscape Architecture” program, but that is not its main draw. The University of Tennessee also offers programs in arts and science related to landscape architecture for students who do not necessarily need a degree, or even a license- a perfect option for landscape designers, who do not need the same licensure as landscape architects.
In terms of tuition, the University of Tennessee falls into the same average niche as the University of Minnesota, albeit slightly cheaper. Residents of Tennessee may pay $13,000 per year in tuition, while out-of-state students may pay slightly over $31,000.
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Utah State University
Utah State University is a very no-frills-attached school when it comes to landscape design- they offer a program they call the “Bachelor of Science in Residential Landscape Design and Construction” on four of their campuses, encompassing all the information you will need to know regarding landscape design and more.
However, the degrees are not Utah State’s selling point- that would be their low prices. Resident students may only have to pay $8,000 per year for their education, while out-of-state students pay around $23,000 per year! While slightly higher than colleges like the State University of New York, it is still markedly cheaper than many of its other competitors.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are many great colleges you may choose to attend when you study landscape design! However, you’ve read a lot of information by this point; let’s quickly sum everything up so that you can better absorb all of this information.
Some of the most important aspects to consider when choosing any college are tuition cost, available courses, and proximity to you. Studying land design offers no exception! You will have to consider these very carefully before making a choice.
In terms of available coursework, the University of Tennessee and the State University of New York offer the most programs for prospective landscape designers; with their multiple available degrees and programs, they can cater to degree-seekers of any caliber or goal. However, if you want to get your degree as fast as possible, the University of Minnesota and its fast-tracked landscape design program may be your best bet- or, if you have prior experience, the University of Washington’s Master of Landscape Architecture program could take you only two years!
In terms of finances, Utah State University takes the cake, with Utah residents paying as low as eight thousand dollars per semester for tuition. If you live in Utah, you can very easily take advantage of their cheap tuition to get a very high-quality degree in landscape design! If you seek higher education, the State University of New York may be your best bet, with even lower prices than Utah State University.
No matter what is available to you, it is important to take any possible opportunity to get ahead in your career. Everybody’s career path is different, and their circumstances will always change, but college can advance the career of anybody who attends it! Whether or not you choose to attend college is up to you, but either way, you can become a great landscape designer!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a quality education in landscape design at any other school?
Yes! Any college that offers degrees in botany, horticulture, and art can be a great option for future landscape designers. Most landscape designers do not require a specific degree or a degree in general, so if you are unable to attend any of these universities you can get something very close from your local colleges!
Will a degree in landscape architecture help my career as a landscape designer?
Yes! A degree in landscape architecture will significantly boost your career as a landscape designer. Landscape architects tend to handle larger projects and require more licensure, but their coursework will entail many, if not all, of the same concepts as a landscape design course. A degree in landscape architecture may help you even more than a degree in landscape design!
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Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Landscape Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a landscape business owner at a job site, driving down the road or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Landscaping Business Boss: I want to help landscape business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.