by our College Data Analytics Team
[Forestry, General](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/general-forestry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for forestry, general students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the forestry, general degrees they offer, see the list below.
Reedley College tops our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools in California. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Citrus College earned it the #2 place for forestry, general. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in forestry, general will find it at Bakersfield College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. 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.
Students looking for strong value in forestry, general will find it at Lake Tahoe Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,131 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,103. Median earnings reach $36,657 ten years out.
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. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the forestry, general program here. Forestry, General graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $52,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Columbia College Sonora landed the #6 spot for forestry, general value this year. Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sonora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #7 for value in forestry, general this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the forestry, general program here. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $55,092. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.