Best colleges for Forestry
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Forestry by graduate earnings are North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($61,142), California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($55,092) and Clemson University ($53,850), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh (Raleigh, NC): $61,142, 89 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $55,092, 51 graduates a year
- Clemson University (Clemson, SC): $53,850, 38 graduates a year
- California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt (Arcata, CA): $52,810, 69 graduates a year
- Auburn University (Auburn, AL): $51,421, 63 graduates a year
Compare 104 U.S. colleges offering Forestry by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 42 states.
Forestry programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,029 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 03.05 and the Foresters occupation (BLS SOC).
About Forestry programs
The Forestry program focuses on the sustainable management and conservation of forest resources. It equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address environmental challenges, promote biodiversity, and manage forest ecosystems effectively. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about natural resources and conservation, seeking to make a positive impact on the environment.
Students in the Forestry program will gain core skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. They will also learn essential knowledge in biology, administration, and management, preparing them for various tasks related to forest management, conservation projects, and compliance with regulations.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,142 | 89 | 85% | — | $24,749 |
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,092 | 51 | 86% | — | $17,000 |
| 3 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,850 | 38 | 87% | — | $24,700 |
| 4 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,810 | 69 | 49% | — | $22,173 |
| 5 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,421 | 63 | 82% | — | $20,500 |
| 6 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,399 | 49 | 57% | — | $18,000 |
| 7 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,214 | 69 | 90% | — | $22,607 |
| 8 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,817 | 120 | 86% | — | $20,919 |
| 9 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,571 | 29 | 68% | — | $27,000 |
| 10 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,342 | 20 | 51% | $22,773 | — |
| 11 | Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,120 | 30 | 64% | — | $24,250 |
| 12 | University of Maine Orono, ME Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,901 | 32 | 55% | — | $23,618 |
| 13 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,842 | 21 | 85% | — | $23,059 |
| 14 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,228 | 36 | 65% | — | $23,371 |
| 15 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,029 | 36 | 83% | — | — |
| 16 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,189 | 22 | 86% | — | $21,429 |
| 17 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,177 | 83 | 51% | — | $24,893 |
| 18 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,219 | 45 | 67% | — | $19,750 |
| 19 | Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,065 | 32 | 36% | — | $20,282 |
| 20 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,953 | 57 | 53% | — | $22,250 |
| 21 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,178 | 49 | 81% | — | $31,000 |
| 22 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,539 | 62 | 67% | — | $24,200 |
| 23 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,398 | 47 | 62% | — | $21,512 |
| 24 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,573 | 22 | 71% | — | — |
| 25 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,441 | 31 | 74% | — | $27,000 |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Public · Certificate | $43,144 | 119 | 61% | — | $20,923 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · Associate degree Small program | $36,719 | 19 | 53% | — | $12,000 |
| 3 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway, SC Public · Associate degree Small program | $36,135 | 13 | 38% | — | $12,622 |
Specializations within Forestry
8 of the 8 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 03.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- ForestryCIP 03.05011,235 graduates / yr43 institutions27 states
- Forest Sciences and BiologyCIP 03.0502367 graduates / yr20 institutions19 states
- Forest Management/CIP 03.0506
Forest Resources Management 287 graduates / yr17 institutions14 states - Forest Technology/CIP 03.0511
Technician 283 graduates / yr35 institutions20 states - Urban ForestryCIP 03.050892 graduates / yr12 institutions10 states
- ForestryCIP 03.0599partial data89 graduates / yr9 institutions7 states
- Wood Science and Wood Products/CIP 03.0509
Pulp and Paper Technology/ Technician partial data80 graduates / yr6 institutions6 states - Forest Resources Production and ManagementCIP 03.0510partial data51 graduates / yr7 institutions7 states
Offered across 42 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1032, Foresters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Forestry program can pursue careers in forest management, wildlife conservation, and environmental consulting. The job outlook indicates a growth rate of 1.2% with approximately 1,100 annual openings. The median wage for forestry professionals is $70,660, and a typical educational requirement is a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Forestry
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 03.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 03.05 (Forestry) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-1031 | Conservation Scientists |
| 19-1032 | Forestersprimary |
| 19-4071 | Forest and Conservation Technicians |
| 25-1043 | Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 45-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers |
| 45-4011 | Forest and Conservation Workers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Forestry programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
- Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands.
- Plan and implement projects for conservation of wildlife habitats and soil and water quality.
- Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources.
- Plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals.
- Determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage.
Common questions
What specializations are available in the Forestry program?+
Specializations include General Forestry, Forest Sciences and Biology, Urban Forestry, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for Forestry graduates?+
The job outlook shows a growth of 1.2% with about 1,100 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for a Forestry professional?+
The median wage for forestry professionals is $70,660.
How much do Forestry graduates earn?+
Forestry graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,029, College Scorecard (2019); the Foresters occupation pays about $79,170 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Forestry?+
Forestry maps to CIP 03.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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