by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 104 U.S. colleges awarded 2,495 degrees and certificates in Forestry. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 48% of graduates. College Factual ranks 51 schools in its 2027 Best Forestry Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $43,993 one year after completing, rising to $60,556 after four years.
Forestry is a major that combines many aspects of environmental conservation and management. Professionals have the ability to analyze the growth and production of trees, determine the relationship between forests and wildlife, and work to prevent forest fires. If you love the outdoors and would like to use scientific and mathematical skills to problem solve, Forestry may be your major.
Within the general major of Forestry are specific concentrations that allow you to work in different fields caring for trees near dense populations or determining how to grow trees for wood products while maintaining a balance with living organisms in the area. Some specific Forestry concentrations include Forest Sciences and Biology, Forest Management/Forest Resources Management, Urban Forestry, Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology, Forest Resources Production and Management, and Forest Technology/Technician.
When deciding on a school, keep in mind employers often employ applicants who have degrees from programs that are accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and other organizations.
Studying Forestry covers Forestry.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, forestry draws strong interest, with 2,495 degrees awarded annually. 104 colleges award forestry degrees, an average of 24 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 196.
By level, the 2,495 awards include 71 certificates, 347 associate degrees, 1,201 bachelor’s degrees, 762 master’s degrees and 112 doctorates.
Women earned 32% of forestry degrees and certificates in the latest year (793 of 2,495). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,807) and Hispanic or Latino (346), and international students earned 96.
College Factual ranks 51 schools in its 2027 Best Forestry Schools ranking, including 9 for associate degrees, 33 for bachelor’s degrees, 14 for master’s degrees and 3 for doctorates. It also ranks forestry schools within 31 states. In all, 104 colleges offer forestry programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Forestry Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common forestry credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,201 of the 2,495 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to forestry call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
A career in forestry requires a strong background in science, math, and computer science. A successful forester loves the outdoors and enjoys problem solving. Since a lot of the job requires being outside, you should be passionate about the outdoors and in good physical shape. You must also have strong analytical and critical thinking skills so you can properly analyze the data collected and decide how to best approach issues concerning trees, their production and product collection, and their relationship to local populations.
Foresters spend much of their time outdoors, possibly in remote locations, depending on the type of work they are doing. Work is done in all types of weather conditions, can be physically demanding, and may require extended stays at campsites. However, there are career options that allow foresters to work in labs, or work with the public teaching others about conservation and how to properly interact with the natural environment. Most forester jobs follow an average work schedule with occasional long hours when working on projects.
Internships, summer jobs, or work with environmental agencies is the best way to gain experience in the Forestry field. These experiences give students basic knowledge and forestry skills.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a forestry degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 71 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 347 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,201 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 762 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 112 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to forestry, at 32.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 32.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.7% |
| Master’s degree | 13.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to Forestry, with an average median salary of $62,588; the strongest outlook belongs to Conservation Scientists, at 13.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Ecology Professor, College Faculty Member, Associate Professor and Lecturer.
Many foresters are employed by state or federal governments, which oversee national parks, and work as forest and park rangers, managers or supervisors. Foresters are also employed by private firms to work as growers, assessors, and consultants or work in offices and labs performing experiments and working to create policies or solutions to forest related issues.
Currently the job market for foresters hasn't seen much of an increase, but the demand for foresters is expected to increase as the concern for environmental issues increases.
The occupation related to forestry with the most projected jobs is Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 497,622.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | 400,323 | 11.1% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Foresters | 93,289 | 5.1% |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | 73,073 | 0.5% |
| Park Naturalists | 46,677 | 9.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
Forestry graduates earn a median $43,993 one year after completing their program, $60,556 after four years and $60,484 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,993 |
| 4 years | $60,556 |
| 5 years | $60,484 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to forestry is Foresters, with a median salary of $93,406.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Foresters | $93,406 |
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,966 |
| Park Naturalists | $76,516 |
| Range Managers | $59,935 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $50,097 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $22,542 |
Forestry includes 8 concentrations that together award 2,495 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Forestry, General (1,235), Forest Sciences and Biology (370) and Forest Management/Forest Resources Management (287). It has 5 similar majors in the Natural Resources & Conservation field, which together award 31,494 degrees a year; the largest are Natural Resources Conservation and Research (25,253), Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy (3,145) and Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management (2,547). Browse all Natural Resources & Conservation majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 25,253 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,145 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 2,547 |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | 427 |
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Other | 122 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
