Blooming careers: Mississippi State University's Floral Management program

🎓 What: Bachelor of Science in Floral Management

📍 Where: Mississippi State University (MSU)

The United States floriculture market size reached approximately USD 7.84 billion in 2024 (Source: IBIS Research, 2025)

If you’ve ever been captivated by the art of floral design or dreamt of managing a thriving floristry business, the Bachelor of Science in Floral Management at Mississippi State University (MSU) offers a unique pathway to turn that passion into a flourishing career.

🌼 Why choose floral management at MSU?

MSU’s Floral Management program is among the few in the United States that blends horticulture, business acumen, and design artistry. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that graduates are well-equipped to navigate the multifaceted floral industry.

📚 What will you learn?

The curriculum encompasses a diverse range of courses, including:

• Floral design: Master the principles of creating stunning floral arrangements.

• Retail floristry operations management: Gain insights into the business side of floristry, from inventory management to customer relations.

• Interior planting design and maintenance: Learn to incorporate greenery into interior spaces, enhancing aesthetic appeal and air quality.

These courses are meticulously designed to provide a holistic understanding of both the creative and operational aspects of the floral industry.

💰 Tuition and fees for international students

For international students considering MSU, the estimated annual cost of attendance for the 2024-2025 academic year is approximately $50,922. This estimate includes:

• Tuition and Fees: $27,637

• Room and Board: $12,902

• Required Medical Insurance: $2,314

• Chest X-Ray and Tuberculosis Test: $140

• International Fees (Fall and Spring): $320

• Personal and Transportation Expenses: $7,609

It’s important to note that these figures are subject to change, and additional costs such as course materials, laboratory fees, and other personal expenses may apply. Prospective students are encouraged to consult the International Institute’s cost breakdown for the most current information.

🎓 Career opportunities

Graduates of the Floral Management program can pursue various career paths, such as:

• Floral designer: Crafting beautiful arrangements for events, retail, or individual clients.

• Retail florist: Managing or owning a floral shop, catering to diverse customer needs.

• Event and wedding floral coordinator: Specializing in designing floral themes for weddings and other significant events.

• Wholesale floral manager: Overseeing the distribution of floral products to retailers.

• Horticultural therapist: Using plants and floral activities to promote well-being in therapeutic settings.

The program also opens doors to roles in garden design and management, hotel/casino hospitality floriculture management, media design and styling, specialty visual design, and traditional and concept floriculture retailing.

🌟 Unique program features

• Hands-on experience: Students have the opportunity to work at The University Florist, MSU’s on-campus floral shop, gaining real-world experience in floral design and business operations.

• Comprehensive curriculum: The program covers all facets of floral management, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the industry’s demands.

Embarking on a degree in Floral Management at Mississippi State University not only nurtures your creative talents but also equips you with the business skills necessary to thrive in the floral industry. Whether you envision yourself designing breathtaking arrangements or managing a successful floral enterprise, MSU provides the foundation to help your career blossom.