2026 Best Value Forestry Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 136 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value forestry schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Forestry Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the forestry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Forestry Schools
For return on investment in forestry, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,512 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,838. That is a strong return on a $15,512 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in forestry will find it at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Tifton, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College admits about 76% of applicants.
Humboldt State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forestry, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $22,173. Early-career forestry graduates make about $52,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forestry, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Forestry graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Forestry graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $44,120 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in forestry will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $43,029. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
West Virginia University placed #6 among the best values for forestry. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $23,371. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $43,228. Set against $23,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Idaho ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. 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 Georgia landed the #8 spot for forestry value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $22,607. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $47,214. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #9 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. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $24,893. Forestry graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #10 spot for forestry value this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University landed the #11 spot for forestry value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #12 among the best values for forestry. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Forestry graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Mississippi State University placed #14 among the best values for forestry. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Forestry graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. 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. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #15 among the best values for forestry. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $39,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,749 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $61,142. Set against $24,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University placed #17 among the best values for forestry. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $45,571 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
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. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #19 spot for forestry value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,512 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $35,398. Set against $21,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the forestry program here. 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #21 spot for forestry value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $32,573. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Iowa State University earned the #22 position for value in forestry this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,437 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $39,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Maine earned the #23 position 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, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates carry a median of $23,618 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $43,901. Set against $23,618 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #24 for value in forestry this year. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, compared with $22,263 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,763 ten years out. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #25 among the best values for forestry. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $27,000. Early-career forestry graduates make about $31,441. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Forestry Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in forestry:
Other Forestry Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Forestry rankings across degree levels:
View All Forestry Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 136 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
