2027 Best Value Forestry, General Schools

[Forestry, General](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/general-forestry/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value forestry, general schools.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Forestry, General School for You
The forestry, general program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Forestry, General Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Forestry, General Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Forestry, General Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the forestry, general degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Forestry, General Schools
For return on investment in forestry, general, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $15,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,653. That is a strong return on a $15,512 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Citrus College one of the best values for forestry, general. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Reedley College earned it the #3 place for forestry, general. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Redwoods earned it the #4 place for forestry, general. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the forestry, general program here. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in forestry, general will find it at Humboldt State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $52,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Columbia College Sonora ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry, general schools. Located in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,035 ten years after entry.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #7 spot for forestry, general value this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $24,250. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $44,120. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Georgia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry, general schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the forestry, general program here. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $46,687. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Northern Arizona University earned the #9 position for value in forestry, general this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $21,811. Forestry, General graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $41,790 early in their careers. Set against $21,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #10 for value in forestry, general this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $21,512 in student loans. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $35,398. Set against $21,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry, general schools. 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. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $19,844. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $45,022. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University came in at #12 for value in forestry, general this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the forestry, general program here. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $45,771. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #13 position for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $39,953. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #14 spot for forestry, general value this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $24,893 in student loans. Forestry, General 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.
University Of Idaho earned the #15 position for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $47,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #16 spot for forestry, general value this year. University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Monticello. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,292, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $41,278. Set against $15,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #17 spot for forestry, general value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $55,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
West Virginia University earned the #18 position for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $23,371 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $43,228. That is a strong return on a $23,371 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #19 for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $24,749. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $61,142. Set against $24,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
The University Of Montana came in at #20 for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $42,654. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Maine earned the #21 position for value in forestry, general this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $23,618 in student loans. Forestry, General graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $43,901 early in their careers. Set against $23,618 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry earned the #22 position for value in forestry, general 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Median earnings reach $55,763 ten years out. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Vermont earned the #23 position for value in forestry, general this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the forestry, general program here. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #24 among the best values for forestry, general. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $27,000. Forestry, General graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $31,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Michigan State University placed #25 among the best values for forestry, general. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the forestry, general program here. Forestry, General graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $39,178 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Forestry, General Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in forestry, general:
Narrow Forestry, General Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Forestry, General is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.