Forestry programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their forestry programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for forestry students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for forestry can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Forestry rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Forestry Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the forestry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in forestry. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Duke University awarded about 10 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their forestry degree from Duke University earn around $83,388 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
Read more about the forestry program at Duke University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in forestry, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 51 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their forestry degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $55,092 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the forestry program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Pennsylvania College Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best forestry schools. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. About 19 forestry degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania College Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their forestry degree from Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn around $36,719 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
See the full forestry program report for Pennsylvania College Of Technology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in forestry, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 120 forestry degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $45,817. Students borrow a median of $20,919 to complete this degree.
See the full forestry program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
A rank of #5 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the top schools for forestry. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 89 forestry students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $61,142. Students borrow a median of $24,749 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in forestry from North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Auburn University landed the #6 spot for forestry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Auburn University awarded about 63 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their forestry degree from Auburn University earn around $51,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full forestry program report for Auburn University
University Of Florida came in at #7 for forestry this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 132 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the forestry program make about $43,653 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $15,512 in student loans.
More information about a degree in forestry from University Of Florida
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for forestry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 36 forestry degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their forestry degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $45,022 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844.
See the full forestry program report for Purdue University Main Campus
Humboldt State University placed #9 among the best forestry schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 forestry degrees were awarded at Humboldt State University in the most recent year. Forestry graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $52,810 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,173.
More information about a degree in forestry from Humboldt State University
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry earned the #10 position for forestry this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 54 forestry students who graduated with this degree at Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry in the most recent data year.
Read more about the forestry program at Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #11 for forestry this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 26 forestry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in forestry from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Green River Community College came in at #12 for forestry this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 24 forestry students who graduated with this degree at Green River Community College in the most recent data year.
Get the full forestry details for Green River Community College
Oregon State University came in at #13 for forestry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Corvallis. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Oregon State University awarded about 47 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their forestry degree from Oregon State University earn around $56,550 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,041.
Read more about the forestry program at Oregon State University
University Of Idaho ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best forestry schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. University Of Idaho graduates 57% of students within six years. University Of Idaho awarded about 49 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the forestry program make about $47,399 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
See the full forestry program report for University Of Idaho
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #15 among the best forestry schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 forestry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Forestry graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $43,842 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,059 to complete this degree.
See the full forestry program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Vermont came in at #16 for forestry this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 forestry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Vermont in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Typical student debt for the program is $22,607.
Get the full forestry details for University Of Vermont
University Of Georgia earned the #17 position for forestry this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 forestry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the forestry program make about $46,687 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete this degree.
Get the full forestry details for University Of Georgia
Clemson University earned the #18 position for forestry this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 38 forestry degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their forestry degree from Clemson University earn around $53,850 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete this degree.
Get the full forestry details for Clemson University
Mississippi State University earned the #19 position for forestry this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mississippi State University awarded about 45 forestry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $40,219. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
More information about a degree in forestry from Mississippi State University
Northern Arizona University landed the #20 spot for forestry this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 119 forestry degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Forestry graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $41,790 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,811 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best forestry schools. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 forestry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Students who receive their forestry degree from University Of Nevada Reno earn around $50,691 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,918.
See the full forestry program report for University Of Nevada Reno
Mid State Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best forestry schools. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 19 forestry students who graduated with this degree at Mid State Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Mid State Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans.
More information about a degree in forestry from Mid State Technical College
Hocking College landed the #23 spot for forestry this year. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 20 forestry students who graduated with this degree at Hocking College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their forestry degree from Hocking College earn around $37,713 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,535 to complete this degree.
Read more about the forestry program at Hocking College
Iowa State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best forestry schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 forestry students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $39,337. Students borrow a median of $19,437 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in forestry from Iowa State University
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #25 among the best forestry schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Collins. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. About 62 forestry degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent year. Forestry graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $37,539 early in their careers. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates carry a median of $24,200 in student loans.
See the full forestry program report for Colorado State University Fort Collins
Rest of the Top 50 Forestry Schools
These schools also placed among the best for forestry this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 51 schools evaluated.
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).
