by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 20 U.S. colleges awarded 370 degrees and certificates in Forest Sciences & Biology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 52% of graduates. College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Forest Sciences & Biology 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.
A major in Forest Sciences & Biology covers Forest Sciences And Biology. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of One Or More Forest-Related Sciences To The Study Of Environmental Factors Affecting Forests And The Growth And Management Of Forest Resources. Includes Instruction In Forest Biology, Forest Hydrology, Forest Mensuration, Silviculture, Forest Soils, Water Resources, Environmental Science, Forest Resources Management, And Wood Science.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., forest sciences & biology is a popular field of study, with 370 degrees awarded annually. 20 colleges award forest sciences & biology degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 63.
By level, the 370 awards include 192 bachelor’s degrees, 125 master’s degrees and 53 doctorates.
Women earned 40% of forest sciences & biology degrees and certificates in the latest year (150 of 370). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (285) and Hispanic or Latino (31), and international students earned 32.
College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Forest Sciences & Biology Schools ranking, including 9 for bachelor’s degrees, 4 for master’s degrees and 2 for doctorates. It also ranks forest sciences & biology schools within 10 states. In all, 20 colleges offer forest sciences & biology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Forest Sciences & Biology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common forest sciences & biology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 192 of the 370 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to forest sciences & biology 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, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
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How long a forest sciences & biology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 192 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 125 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 53 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to forest sciences & biology, at 37.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 31.8% |
| Master’s degree | 12.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Forest Sciences & Biology, with an average median salary of $78,252; the strongest outlook belongs to Conservation Scientists, at 13.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Natural Resources Program Instructor, Forest Management Professor, Forest Explorers Instructor and Forest Ecology Professor.
The occupation related to forest sciences & biology 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% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Foresters | 93,289 | 5.1% |
| Park Naturalists | 46,677 | 9.4% |
Forest Sciences & Biology 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 forest sciences & biology 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 Sciences & Biology has 7 similar majors in the Natural Resources & Conservation field, which together award 2,125 degrees a year; the largest are Forestry, General (1,235), Forest Management/Forest Resources Management (287) and Forest Technology/Technician (283). Browse all Natural Resources & Conservation majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Forestry, General | 1,235 |
| Forest Management/Forest Resources Management | 287 |
| Forest Technology/Technician | 283 |
| Urban Forestry | 95 |
| Forestry, Other | 91 |
| Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology/Technician | 83 |
| Forest Resources Production and Management | 51 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
