by our College Data Analytics Team
[Forestry](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for forestry students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the forestry degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in forestry, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $15,512. Early-career forestry graduates make about $26,838. That is a strong return on a $15,512 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. Located in the town of Tifton, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $10,588. Students borrow a median of $20,282 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry graduates of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College earn a median of $40,065 early in their careers. Set against $20,282 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Humboldt State University one of the best values for forestry. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the forestry program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. 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. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $44,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #5 place for forestry. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $22,607. Early-career forestry graduates make about $47,214. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $21,512 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Forestry graduates carry a median of $22,698 in student loans. Forestry graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $40,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,698 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for forestry value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $43,029 early in their careers. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Michigan Technological University came in at #9 for value in forestry this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Forestry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $45,571. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Idaho earned the #10 position for value in forestry this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $47,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #11 for value in forestry this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Forestry graduates carry a median of $24,893 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $41,177. Set against $24,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #12 position for value in forestry this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $39,953. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #13 for value in forestry this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Forestry graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry 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. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello placed #14 among the best values for forestry. Set in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Students borrow a median of $15,611 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $41,278. That is a strong return on a $15,611 median debt.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #15 spot for forestry value this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Forestry graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Forestry graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. Set against $19,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $24,749. Early-career forestry graduates make about $61,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #17 for value in forestry this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Forestry graduates carry a median of $23,371 in student loans. Forestry graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $43,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,371 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #18 spot for forestry value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $23,059. Early-career forestry graduates make about $43,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
The University Of Montana placed #19 among the best values for forestry. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $24,342. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $31,138. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Mississippi State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value forestry schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $40,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Maine came in at #21 for value in forestry this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $23,618. Forestry graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $43,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Iowa State University earned the #22 position for value in forestry this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $19,437. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $39,337. That is a strong return on a $19,437 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry placed #23 among the best values for forestry. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $9,303 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,763. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Vermont earned the #24 position for value in forestry this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $22,607. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Kentucky landed the #25 spot for forestry value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $32,573. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in forestry:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Forestry rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.