by our College Data Analytics Team
[Forestry](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools to find the best return on investment for forestry students.
What’s on this page:
The forestry program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Forestry 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.
Read more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Forestry Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forestry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Coastal Pines Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools in the United States. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $39,090. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for forestry. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $15,512. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in forestry will find it at Wayne Community College, which ranked #3. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forestry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Forestry graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Lurleen B Wallace Community College generally make around $36,027. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Citrus College one of the best values for forestry. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Reedley College landed the #6 spot for forestry value this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College placed #7 among the best values for forestry. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Forestry graduates carry a median of $12,622 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $36,135. Set against $12,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College placed #8 among the best values for forestry. Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a small public school located in the city of Alexandria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,098, compared with $4,363 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Central Louisiana Technical Community College generally make around $18,707. That is a strong return on a $8,625 median debt.
Haywood Community College landed the #9 spot for forestry value this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Forestry graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $35,767 early in their careers.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College earned the #10 position for value in forestry this year. Set in the town of Tifton, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $10,588. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $20,282. Forestry graduates of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College earn a median of $40,065 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College admits about 76% of applicants.
College Of The Redwoods ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,852. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College earned the #12 position for value in forestry this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $11,626. Early-career forestry graduates make about $41,678. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Humboldt State University came in at #13 for value in forestry this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Forestry graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Forestry graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $52,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,173 median debt. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Columbia College Sonora came in at #14 for value in forestry this year. Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sonora. 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 placed #15 among the best values for forestry. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $44,120. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Green River Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
Hocking College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,535 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $37,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Georgia earned the #18 position for value in forestry this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Forestry graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. Forestry graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $46,687 early in their careers. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #19 for value in forestry this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $16,481. Early-career forestry graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #20 among the best values for forestry. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Forestry graduates carry a median of $21,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $35,398. Set against $21,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northern Arizona University landed the #21 spot for forestry value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,811 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $41,790. Set against $21,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for forestry. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $19,844. Forestry graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $45,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Michigan Technological University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $45,771. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $18,000. Forestry graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $47,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #25 position for value in forestry this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $24,893. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,177. That is a strong return on a $24,893 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in forestry:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Forestry. See all related rankings.
View All Forestry Concentrations >
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.