by our College Data Analytics Team
[Forestry](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their forestry graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find where forestry graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose forestry graduates go on to earn the most.
Michigan Technological University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying forestry schools in the Great Lakes Region. Michigan Technological University is a public school located in the town of Houghton. Early-career forestry graduates from Michigan Technological University make a median of around $61,635 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying forestry schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. Students who complete the forestry program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,190.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale produces some of the highest-paid graduates in forestry, landing the #3 spot this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public school located in the town of Carbondale. Early-career forestry graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale make a median of around $54,092 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for forestry. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career forestry graduates from Purdue University Main Campus make a median of around $45,261 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Michigan State University earned it the #5 place for forestry. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Early-career forestry graduates from Michigan State University make a median of around $39,178 per year.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their forestry graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 5 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.