2026 Best Value Forest Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

[Forest Technology/Technician](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/forest-technology-technician/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for forest technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Forest Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the forest technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Forest Technology/Technician Schools
Our analysis ranked Horry Georgetown Technical College the best value for a degree in forest technology/technician in the United States. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Forest Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,622 in student loans. Early-career forest technology/technician graduates make about $36,135. Set against $12,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Jones County Junior College one of the best values for forest technology/technician. Located in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $9,559 to complete the forest technology/technician program here. Forest Technology/technician graduates of Jones County Junior College earn a median of $33,655 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,559 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in forest technology/technician will find it at Allegany College Of Maryland, which ranked #3. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Students borrow a median of $18,823 to complete the forest technology/technician program here. Early-career forest technology/technician graduates make about $42,542. Set against $18,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Green River Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forest technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hocking College earned it the #5 place for forest technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Typical student debt for forest technology/technician graduates is $16,535. Soon after graduation, forest technology/technician degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $37,713. That is a strong return on a $16,535 median debt.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry earned the #6 position for value in forest technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, with out-of-state students paying around $22,263. Median earnings reach $55,763 ten years out. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #7 spot for forest technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,940 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,680. Forest Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forest technology/technician degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $36,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Forest Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Forest Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:
View All Forest Technology/Technician 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.