2027 Best Value Forest Sciences & Biology Schools

[Forest Sciences & Biology](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/forest-sciences-and-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for forest sciences & biology students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Forest Sciences & Biology School for You
The right forest sciences & biology school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Forest Sciences & Biology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Forest Sciences & Biology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Forest Sciences & Biology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the forest sciences & biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Forest Sciences & Biology Schools
University Of Georgia earned the #1 spot for value among forest sciences & biology schools in the United States. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $46,687. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value forest sciences & biology schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #3 place for forest sciences & biology. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $21,512 in student loans. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $35,398. That is a strong return on a $21,512 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in forest sciences & biology will find it at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $21,811 in student loans. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $41,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for forest sciences & biology. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $45,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #6 position for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $24,893 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,893 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University earned the #7 position for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $45,771 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
West Virginia University placed #8 among the best values for forest sciences & biology. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $23,371 in student loans. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $43,228. Set against $23,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine came in at #9 for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $23,618 in student loans. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $43,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Mississippi State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value forest sciences & biology schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $40,219. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value forest sciences & biology schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $19,437. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $39,337 early in their careers. Set against $19,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value forest sciences & biology schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,303, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,763. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky landed the #13 spot for forest sciences & biology value this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $32,573 early in their careers. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value forest sciences & biology schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $24,200 in student loans. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $37,539 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,200 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University earned the #15 position for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Forest Sciences & Biology 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%.
Auburn University came in at #16 for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $51,421. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science landed the #17 spot for forest sciences & biology value this year. Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paul Smiths. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,009. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $25,443 in student loans. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science earn a median of $34,923 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,443 median debt. Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science admits about 76% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value forest sciences & biology schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $21,429. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $41,189. Set against $21,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Narrow Forest Sciences & Biology Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Forest Sciences & Biology. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.