2026 Best Value Forestry, General Schools in the Far Western Region
[Forestry, General](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/general-forestry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value forestry, general schools.
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2026 Best Value Forestry, General Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forestry, general, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Forestry, General Schools
Reedley College earned the #1 spot for value among forestry, general schools in the Far Western Region. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the forestry, general program here. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
A rank of #3 makes Bakersfield College one of the best values for forestry, general. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Forestry, General graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Lake Tahoe Community College one of the best values for forestry, general. Located in the rural area of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,131, with out-of-state students paying around $11,103. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,657 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes Humboldt State University one of the best values for forestry, general. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $52,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Columbia College Sonora came in at #6 for value in forestry, general this year. Located in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $13,293. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Columbia College Sonora generally make around $103,727. Set against $13,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #7 among the best values for forestry, general. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $17,000. Forestry, General graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $55,092 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 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.
