2026 Best Value Forest Management/Forest Resources Management Master’s Degree Schools

[Forest Management/Forest Resources Management](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/forest-management-forest-resources-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong forest management/forest resources management education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for forest management/forest resources management students.
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2026 Best Value Forest Management/Forest Resources Management Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the forest management/forest resources management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Forest Management/Forest Resources Management Schools
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #1 spot for value among forest management/forest resources management schools in the United States. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forest management/forest resources management graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, forest management/forest resources management degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for forest management/forest resources management. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for forest management/forest resources management graduates is $21,811. Soon after graduation, forest management/forest resources management degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in forest management/forest resources management will find it at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $24,749 to complete the forest management/forest resources management program here. Soon after graduation, forest management/forest resources management degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $61,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Oregon State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value forest management/forest resources management schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete the forest management/forest resources management program here. Early-career forest management/forest resources management graduates make about $56,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clemson University earned it the #5 place for forest management/forest resources management. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the forest management/forest resources management program here. Forest Management/forest Resources Management graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Other Forest Management/Forest Resources Management Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Forest Management/Forest Resources Management rankings across degree levels:
View All Forest Management/Forest Resources Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.