2027 Best Value Forestry Associate’s Degree Schools
[Forestry](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for forestry students.
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2027 Best Value Forestry Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forestry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Forestry Schools
Lurleen B Wallace Community College earned the #1 spot for value among forestry schools in the United States. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Andalusia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $36,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Citrus College earned it the #2 place for forestry. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Horry Georgetown Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forestry, landing the #3 spot this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $12,622 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $36,135. Set against $12,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Haywood Community College earned it the #4 place for forestry. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $35,767 early in their careers.
Students looking for strong value in forestry will find it at Columbia College Sonora, which ranked #5. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,035 ten years after entry.
Green River Community College came in at #6 for value in forestry this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
Hocking College placed #7 among the best values for forestry. 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. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $16,535. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $37,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry placed #8 among the best values for forestry. Set in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,303 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,763. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #9 spot for forestry value this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Forestry graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $36,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Forestry Degree Levels
Explore the best-value forestry schools at other degree levels:
View All Forestry Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
