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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for forestry students.
What’s on this page:
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 Georgia. 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. Forestry graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,588. Forestry graduates carry a median of $20,282 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $40,065. That is a strong return on a $20,282 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #3 place for forestry. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 38%.
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.