2026 Best Value Forest Sciences & Biology Master’s Degree Schools

[Forest Sciences & Biology](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/forest-sciences-and-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for forest sciences & biology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for forest sciences & biology in the United States. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $16,481. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for forest sciences & biology. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $46,160. That is a strong return on a $22,607 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Students looking for strong value in forest sciences & biology will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $47,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value forest sciences & biology schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Mississippi State University came in at #5 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $40,219 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #6 position for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $21,512. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $35,398. Set against $21,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Maine came in at #7 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, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,618 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $43,901. That is a strong return on a $23,618 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University placed #8 among the best values for forest sciences & biology. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $24,700. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,850. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Auburn University earned the #9 position for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $20,500. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $51,421. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Other Forest Sciences & Biology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value forest sciences & biology schools at other degree levels:
View All Forest Sciences & Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 4 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.