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2027 Best Forestry Bachelor’s Degree Schools

33 Colleges in the United States
1,368 Forestry Degrees Awarded
$42,994 Avg Early-Career Salary

Forestry is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for forestry students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Forestry in the United States

These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in forestry, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Forestry

1

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo tops our 2027 ranking of the best forestry schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 51 forestry degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $55,092. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. Get the full forestry details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

2

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in forestry, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 120 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their forestry degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $45,817 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,919. Read more about the forestry program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

3

North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in forestry, ranking #3. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 86 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Forestry graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $61,142 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,749 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in forestry from North Carolina State University At Raleigh

4
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best forestry schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 forestry degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Forestry graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $51,421 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full forestry program report for Auburn University

5

Humboldt State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best forestry schools. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 forestry degrees were awarded at Humboldt State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $52,810. Humboldt State University graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Read more about the forestry program at Humboldt State University

6
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for forestry this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 36 forestry students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $43,029. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844. Get the full forestry details for Purdue University Main Campus

7

University Of Idaho earned the #7 position for forestry this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 forestry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Idaho in the most recent data year. Graduates of the forestry program make about $47,399 in their early career. University Of Idaho graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. See the full forestry program report for University Of Idaho

8

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #8 spot for forestry this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 21 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their forestry degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $43,842 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,059 to complete this degree. Read more about the forestry program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

9
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best forestry schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 44 forestry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their forestry degree from University Of Florida earn around $26,838 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,512. Get the full forestry details for University Of Florida

10
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont landed the #10 spot for forestry this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. About 27 forestry degrees were awarded at University Of Vermont in the most recent year. Graduates of the forestry program make about $44,588 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in forestry from University Of Vermont

11

Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #11 for forestry this year. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Syracuse. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry graduates 66% of students within six years. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry awarded about 40 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in forestry from Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry

12

University Of Georgia came in at #12 for forestry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 69 forestry degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the forestry program make about $47,214 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,607. Get the full forestry details for University Of Georgia

13
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University landed the #13 spot for forestry this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 38 forestry degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the forestry program make about $53,850 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete this degree. Read more about the forestry program at Clemson University

14
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University landed the #14 spot for forestry this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. About 67% of students finish within six years. Mississippi State University awarded about 39 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $40,219. Mississippi State University graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Read more about the forestry program at Mississippi State University

15

Northern Arizona University came in at #15 for forestry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 57 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the forestry program make about $40,435 in their early career. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $22,698 in student loans. More information about a degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University

16

University Of Nevada Reno placed #16 among the best forestry schools. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. University Of Nevada Reno awarded about 12 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Forestry graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. University Of Nevada Reno graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Read more about the forestry program at University Of Nevada Reno

17

Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #17 among the best forestry schools. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 43 forestry students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent data year. Forestry graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $37,539 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,200. See the full forestry program report for Colorado State University Fort Collins

18

Iowa State University landed the #18 spot for forestry this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Iowa State University awarded about 18 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $39,337. Students borrow a median of $19,437 to complete this degree. See the full forestry program report for Iowa State University

19

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #19 for forestry this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 22 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Forestry graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,189 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,429 to complete this degree. Read more about the forestry program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

20

West Virginia University placed #20 among the best forestry schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 36 forestry degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $43,228. Typical student debt for the program is $23,371. Get the full forestry details for West Virginia University

21
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #21 among the best forestry schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 32 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $39,178. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in forestry from Michigan State University

22

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #22 among the best forestry schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 83 forestry degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent year. Graduates of the forestry program make about $41,177 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,893. See the full forestry program report for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

23

Louisiana Tech University landed the #23 spot for forestry this year. This large public university is located in the town of Ruston. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 forestry students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana Tech University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the forestry program make about $44,120 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. More information about a degree in forestry from Louisiana Tech University

24

University Of Maine came in at #24 for forestry this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. University Of Maine graduates 55% of students within six years. About 25 forestry degrees were awarded at University Of Maine in the most recent year. Forestry graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $43,901 early in their careers. University Of Maine graduates carry a median of $23,618 in student loans. More information about a degree in forestry from University Of Maine

25

The University Of Tennessee earned the #25 position for forestry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 26 forestry degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Students who receive their forestry degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $31,441 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full forestry program report for The University Of Tennessee

Rest of the Top 33 Forestry Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong forestry education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

Other Forestry Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Forestry rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Forestry
Associate's Degrees in Forestry
Master's Degrees in Forestry

View All Forestry Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 33 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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