2027 Best Value Forestry, General Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Forestry, General](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/general-forestry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value forestry, general schools.
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2027 Best Value Forestry, General Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Southern Illinois University Carbondale tops our 2027 list of the best value forestry, general schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $21,512. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $35,398. That is a strong return on a $21,512 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for forestry, general. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $27,000. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $45,771. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point one of the best values for forestry, general. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $24,893. Forestry, General graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,177 early in their careers. Set against $24,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for forestry, general. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $45,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forestry, general, landing the #5 spot this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. 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. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.