Best institutions to study Forest Resources Production and Management
A program that focuses on the application of forestry principles to the production, harvesting, and processing of forest resources and that prepares individuals to perform associated technical and managerial functions.
7 U.S. institutions graduated 51 Forest Resources Production and Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 03.0510, a specialization of Forestry (CIP 03.05), and leads most directly to the Foresters occupation (BLS SOC 19-1032).
About Forest Resources Production and Management programs
A program that focuses on the application of forestry principles to the production, harvesting, and processing of forest resources and that prepares individuals to perform associated technical and managerial functions. Includes instruction in forest production and utilization, industrial forestry, agroforestry, transplantation, timber harvesting, selection and identification of trees, processing technologies and systems, equipment operations and maintenance, and related management skills.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Forest Resources Production and Management program, part of the broader field of Forestry, focuses on applying forestry principles to the production, harvesting, and processing of forest resources. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing technical and managerial roles in the forestry sector, emphasizing sustainable practices and resource management.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in forest production and utilization, timber harvesting, and agroforestry. Core skills developed include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, alongside practical training in equipment operations and management.
Credentials awarded
What Forest Resources Production and Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree28 graduates / yr · 2 institutions55%
- Associate's degree8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions16%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship7 graduates / yr · 1 institution14%
- Bachelor's degree6 graduates / yr · 3 institutions12%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.9%
Graduates over time
Forest Resources Production and Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2015 | 40 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2019 | 45 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 40 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 48 |
| 2025 | 51 |
Top 7 institutions for Forest Resources Production and Management, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 86% | — | $45,817 |
| 2 | Salish Kootenai College Pablo, MTPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 9 | 28% | — | — |
| 3 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicMaster's | 7 | 82% | — | $51,421 |
| 4 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 51% | $22,773 | $44,342 |
| 5 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 75% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor's | 1 | 55% | — | $43,901 |
| 7 | College of the Marshall Islands Majuro, MHPublicAssociate's | 1 | 18% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Forestry field (CIP 03.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 7 states & territories
Where Forest Resources Production and Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Forestry programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 1 | 28 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University28 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 9 | Salish Kootenai College9 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 7 | Auburn University7 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 3 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science3 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 2 | University of Missouri - Columbia2 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 1 | University of Maine1 / yr |
| Marshall Islands | 1 | 1 | College of the Marshall Islands1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1032, Foresters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Forest Resources Production and Management program can pursue careers as foresters, forest and conservation technicians, or educators in forestry and conservation science. With an annual growth outlook of 1.2% and approximately 1,100 job openings each year, the median wage for these positions is around $70,660, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 03.0510
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Forestersprimary SOC 19-1032 | $76,400 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~1,100 | Bachelor's degree |
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers SOC 45-1011 | $59,320 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Forest and Conservation Technicians SOC 19-4071 | $54,560 | -3.2% Decline | ~3,900 | Associate's degree |
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1043 | $101,420 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Forest Resources Production and Management programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Forestry specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Forestry (CIP 03.05).
- ForestryCIP 03.05011,235 graduates / yr43 institutions
- Forest Sciences and BiologyCIP 03.0502367 graduates / yr20 institutions
- Forest Management/CIP 03.0506
Forest Resources Management 287 graduates / yr17 institutions - Forest Technology/CIP 03.0511
Technician 283 graduates / yr35 institutions - Urban ForestryCIP 03.050892 graduates / yr12 institutions
- ForestryCIP 03.0599partial data89 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Wood Science and Wood Products/CIP 03.0509
Pulp and Paper Technology/ Technician partial data80 graduates / yr6 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Associate's degree, Doctor's degree, or Bachelor's degree in Forest Resources Production and Management.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, along with knowledge of forest management practices.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a forester, forest conservation technician, or a postsecondary teacher in forestry.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little to no change, with about 1,100 annual openings and a median wage of $70,660.
What is the CIP code for Forest Resources Production and Management?+
Forest Resources Production and Management is CIP 03.0510 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Forestry (CIP 03.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of forestry principles to the production, harvesting, and processing of forest resources and that prepares individuals to perform associated technical and managerial functions. Includes instruction in forest production and utilization, industrial forestry, agroforestry, transplantation, timber harvesting, selection and identification of trees, processing technologies and systems, equipment operations and maintenance, and related management skills.
How many institutions offer Forest Resources Production and Management programs?+
7 U.S. institutions reported Forest Resources Production and Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states & territories, awarding 51 credentials in the year. That is 2.1% of all Forestry graduates.
How much do Forest Resources Production and Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Foresters occupation, which Forest Resources Production and Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $76,400 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Forestry field report median earnings of $45,817 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card