Forestry programs
CIP 0305 · Natural Resources & Conservation · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
37 institutions report graduate earnings for Forestry programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $58,054 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33× and 89% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 1 of the 41 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Bachelor's | $86,357 n=94 | 86% 5yr | $21,750 | 0.25× | Above +152% | Clears 2/2 |
| 2 | California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtCA · Bachelor's | $79,849 n=44 | 86% 5yr | $21,000 | 0.26× | Above +108% | Clears 2/2 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCA · Bachelor's | $77,419 n=27 | 86% 5yr | $17,333 | 0.22× | Above +101% | Clears 2/2 |
| 4 | Oregon State UniversityOR · Master's | $74,416 n=22 | 94% 5yr | – | – | Above +20% | – |
| 5 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusOR · Master's | $74,416 n=22 | 94% 5yr | – | – | Above +20% | – |
| 6 | University of FloridaFL · Master's | $72,807 n=36 | 89% 5yr | – | – | Above +31% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | University of GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's | $68,965 n=22 | 96% 5yr | $14,500 | 0.21× | Above +95% | Clears 2/2 |
| 8 | Louisiana Tech UniversityLA · Bachelor's | $65,941 n=28 | 77% 1yr | $22,083 | 0.34× | Above +89% | – |
| 9 | Alabama A & M UniversityAL · Bachelor's | $64,749 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +88% | – |
| 10 | Auburn UniversityAL · Bachelor's | $64,704 n=31 | 89% 1yr | $18,750 | 0.29× | Above +88% | Clears 2/2 |
| 11 | West Virginia UniversityWV · Bachelor's | $64,568 n=35 | 91% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.32× | Above +84% | Clears 2/2 |
| 12 | University of IdahoID · Bachelor's | $64,392 n=43 | 94% 5yr | $16,500 | 0.26× | Above +81% | Clears 2/2 |
| 13 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $64,204 n=88 | 98% 5yr | $20,663 | 0.32× | Above +69% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | Clemson UniversitySC · Bachelor's | $63,764 n=34 | 91% 1yr | $22,875 | 0.36× | Above +85% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's | $63,468 n=17 | 81% 1yr | $17,750 | 0.28× | Above +78% | – |
| 16 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsCO · Bachelor's | $62,919 n=29 | 77% 5yr | $22,073 | 0.35× | Above +51% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | University of GeorgiaGA · Master's | $61,616 n=32 | 94% 5yr | $11,530 | 0.19× | Below -2% | Below 1/2 |
| 18 | The University of MontanaMT · Bachelor's | $60,526 n=23 | 82% 5yr | $15,750 | 0.26× | Above +75% | Clears 2/2 |
| 19 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMN · Bachelor's | $58,651 n=66 | 89% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.33× | Above +47% | Clears 2/2 |
| 20 | Mississippi State UniversityMS · Bachelor's | $58,499 n=39 | 90% 5yr | $19,000 | 0.33× | Above +77% | Clears 2/2 |
| 21 | Northern Arizona UniversityAZ · UG cert | $58,054 n=37 | 82% 5yr | $22,397 | 0.39× | Above +58% | Clears 2/2 |
| 22 | Abraham Baldwin Agricultural CollegeGA · Bachelor's | $57,678 n=40 | 100% 5yr | $20,065 | 0.35× | Above +63% | Clears 2/2 |
| 23 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestryNY · Bachelor's | $57,664 n=40 | – | – | – | Above +52% | – |
| 24 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTN · Bachelor's | $57,436 n=20 | – | $25,548 | 0.45× | Above +64% | – |
| 25 | Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Bachelor's | $56,754 n=18 | – | – | – | Above +52% | – |
| 26 | University of MaineME · Bachelor's | $56,124 n=34 | 73% 1yr | $23,269 | 0.41× | Above +54% | – |
| 27 | Michigan Technological UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $55,912 n=32 | 97% 5yr | $25,500 | 0.46× | Above +60% | Clears 2/2 |
| 28 | Stephen F Austin State UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $55,786 n=22 | 70% 1yr | $21,597 | 0.39× | Above +56% | – |
| 29 | Michigan State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $55,724 n=28 | 67% 1yr | $29,362 | 0.53× | Above +59% | – |
| 30 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointWI · Bachelor's | $55,724 n=104 | 90% 5yr | $21,393 | 0.38× | Above +43% | Clears 2/2 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania College of TechnologyPA · Associate | $53,373 n=32 | – | $12,000 | 0.23× | Above +42% | – |
| 32 | Iowa State UniversityIA · Bachelor's | $52,650 n=47 | 81% 5yr | $18,750 | 0.36× | Above +37% | Clears 2/2 |
| 33 | Northern Arizona UniversityAZ · Bachelor's | $52,191 n=35 | 93% 5yr | $22,698 | 0.43× | Above +42% | Clears 2/2 |
| 34 | University of KentuckyKY · Bachelor's | $51,331 n=16 | 86% 5yr | $27,973 | 0.55× | Above +48% | Clears 2/2 |
| 35 | Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIL · Bachelor's | $50,394 n=80 | 91% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.41× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 36 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and ScienceNY · Associate | $49,950 n=24 | – | $12,280 | 0.25× | Above +31% | Clears 2/2 |
| 37 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and ScienceNY · Bachelor's | $49,291 n=21 | – | $24,978 | 0.51× | Above +30% | Clears 2/2 |
| 38 | University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $48,755 n=68 | 88% 5yr | $15,500 | 0.32× | Above +44% | Clears 2/2 |
| 39 | Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeSC · Associate | $44,915 n=33 | 68% 1yr | $12,000 | 0.27× | Above +31% | Clears 2/2 |
| 40 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Associate | $42,466 n=23 | – | $11,777 | 0.28× | Above +13% | – |
| 41 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont AltoPA · Associate | $42,466 n=23 | – | $11,777 | 0.28× | Above +13% | – |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $61,616 | 3 |
| New York | $49,950 | 3 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,466 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Forestry programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Forestry programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Forestry programs in this dataset are North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($86,357), California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($79,849), California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($77,419). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Forestry programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 1 of the 41 Forestry programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.