### SUMMARY

 A degree in Forestry is a valuable choice and generally a requisite first step for students intending to pursue a career as a forester, a forest park ranger, or an arborist. Interestingly, forestry is a very rare degree ranking as the 200th most popular degree. Last year alone, there were 1,156 forestry graduates. In-state tuition for forestry at private universities is, on average, 3 times more pricey than their public peers.

 With just 55 schools offering forestry there might be a more finite list of the institutions that will have an option for you. If you're hoping to surround yourself with other forestry students, consider universities in California which have the most undergraduates admitted to forestry annually. More generally, the top region to pursue forestry is in the Southeast region with [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida), [North Carolina State University at Raleigh](/colleges/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh), and [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University](/colleges/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university) best representing the region. Interestingly, our pick of the top conference to major in forestry is the Southeastern Conference with [Auburn University](/colleges/auburn-university), [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida), and [Mississippi State University](/colleges/mississippi-state-university) representing the conference. On that topic, our choice for the best university for forestry is [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley), and here you can find our comprehensive list for the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges).

 The 'best' school is not necessarily the 'best' school for you. There can be tons of angels to consider when selecting ​university. Features like campus amenities, transportation services, and food would definitely alter one's decision of which school to attend. Here at Authority, we examined the pros and cons for you. If, for example, you want to know which forestry school has the best campus, the answer is [Michigan State University](/colleges/michigan-state-university). If you are very interested in which university is home to the finest campus, we have an entire list [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through government databases, professor reviews, student reviews, and more so we can compare each major in an unbiased and informative way. Here you can find our comprehensive list for the schools with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbspand from that list, our pick for the university with the best student life for forestry is [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida). Are you curious why? Continue scrolling to find out more about Authority's top choices. Many of our picks just might shock you.

 If cost is a primary deciding factor in your decisions, you might be cautious about [University of Vermont](/colleges/university-of-vermont). [University of Vermont](/colleges/university-of-vermont)&nbspappears to be the most expensive university for forestry, at least for out of state students. We have an entire list of the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspuniversities that might put the cost of [University of Vermont](/colleges/university-of-vermont)&nbspinto perspective. For more context, you may care to know that forestry is the 250th most expensive degree in the US, with an average cost of $27,000. On a broader scale, the most expensive state for forestry in the country is Vermont with expenses at the main college, University of Vermont, of $41,280. To zoom out even further, the most expensive region for forestry is the New England region which is best demonstrated with [University of Maine](/colleges/university-of-maine) with a cost of $29,310, and [University of Vermont](/colleges/university-of-vermont) with a cost of $41,280.

 Our cheapest region for forestry is the Southeast region which is represented by [University of Arkansas at Monticello](/colleges/university-of-arkansas-at-monticello) with a cost of $10,629, [Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College](/colleges/abraham-baldwin-agricultural-college) with a cost of $9,469, and [Southern University and A & M College](/colleges/southern-university-and-a-m-college) with a cost of $4,972. In better news, the most affordable school for forestry is [SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry](/colleges/suny-college-of-environmental-science-and-forestry). Authority.org's comprehensive list of the most affordable universities can be found [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state learners can anticipate paying about $11,200 for a degree in forestry. The cost grows significantly to an average of $28,500 for an out-of-state public-school student. On that note, our choice for the university constituting the best value for forestry: [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis). Through this link you can see our comprehensive list of the colleges we believe to be the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspoverall. With that said, this section is predicated on out-of-state tuition costs. A discussion of value changes when in-state tuition costs are considered, but we do not know where you live (and are not trying to collect that kind of data).

 Earnings for forestry students range widely, but two years after completing the major graduates will typically earn around $46,000. While there can be a lot of variation in earnings potential; top earners can enjoy pay up to $96,200. Right out of college, the lowest earning jobs within the forestry field earn $22,000, which is an alright wage. The highest earning grads for forestry graduated from [Michigan Technological University](/colleges/michigan-technological-university)&nbspand if you want to find the schools with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), Authority has that too.

 The prevailing diversity of forestry ranks quite poor, arriving in only the 7th percentile of majors nationally. The school with the highest composite diversity for forestry is [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley)&nbspand here you can find our general list of the schools with the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The financial diversity of the Forestry major ranks only in the 81st percentile compared to all other majors. Racial diversity is even further below average in the 6th percentile. White students make up the largest proportion, 82%, of those majoring in forestry. Additionally, 70% of scholars seeking a forestry major are men.

 The median ranking of forestry professors is 4.2 stars, a ranking that is 5% higher than the average across every major; which is a good ranking. If you are searching for the most popular forestry professor nationally, consider looking up Bruce Lord from [Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus](/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus). This might be a shock, but the highest rated professors of forestry by student are at [Oregon State University](/colleges/oregon-state-university). As we consider data beyond basic rankings we find that the school with the best professors for forestry is [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis). You can find more detail on our evolving ranking methodology of the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), along with many of the finest examples of professors nationwide.

 Finally, the hardest college to get into for forestry is [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley). While we think of this list more as a novelty, we have a comprehensive page of the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). That being said, we hope you believe that looking at the higher education world with a lens primarily informed by superlatives can create problems. We hope you look at some of our more nuanced pages on individual universities and explore a few of our background pages on important things to consider as your college search develops.



 ### POPULARITY

 Forestry is the 200th most popular degree in America, with 1,156 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #201 [Legal Support Services](/rankings/best-colleges-for-legal-support-services), and narrowly lost to #199 [Radiation Therapy](/rankings/best-colleges-for-radiation-therapy).

 The degree is offered at a total of 55 colleges across the nation, and is the 257th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 4% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America.

 It is also worth noting that 95% of colleges offering forestry are public making it a very accessible field.

 The southeast produces the most forestry graduates, largely led by [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida), while it’s the Southeastern Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, California ranks highest, with particular help from [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](/colleges/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo) and [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more forestry graduates than [Lurleen B Wallace Community College](/colleges/lurleen-b-wallace-community-college), which graduated 93 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study forestry). More students studied forestry as a percentage of total students at [Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College](/colleges/abraham-baldwin-agricultural-college) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Forestry is the 250th most expensive major in the United States, with a median cost of $26,991 for the top 50 programs (just ahead of #251, [Architectural Engineering](rankings/best-colleges-for-architectural-engineering), with a median cost of $26,960).

 New England has the most expensive colleges with great forestry programs led by [University of Maine](/colleges/university-of-maine) with an annual cost of $29,310. Vermont is the most expensive state for forestry led by [University of Vermont](/colleges/university-of-vermont).

 Public schools with solid programs by and large charge 66.56% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 14.84% less than the median private school. So, if you're looking into studying at a state school, make sure you're eligible for in-state tuition ASAP.

 The most expensive top 25 college for forestry is [University of Vermont](/colleges/university-of-vermont). The most affordable option in the top 100 is [Southern University and A & M College](/colleges/southern-university-and-a-m-college). It costs just $4,972 per year and is its forestry program is ranked #38. If you’re looking for a higher ranked, but still affordable college, [SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry](/colleges/suny-college-of-environmental-science-and-forestry)  could be right for you, ranked #4 with an in-state cost of just $7,070. Another more affordable option would be #9, [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](/colleges/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo) in San Luis Obispo County, CA with a cost of $5,742 for in-state students and $17,622 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 College is a massive investment for most people. It is important to lack doubt you get a high return on that investment. We intend for the following career and earnings insights to guide you in deciding your major at college.

 Right out of university, Forestry majors take in $39,226 a year on average (close to national median 46th percentile). After some experience in their professions, they can bring in as high as $96,205 down to $21,977, but average about $46,016. To put it in context, that's 19% over the American average.

 The most common job title for a Forestry graduate is Environmental Scientist, which for the most part make close to $43,000; next are Natural Resource Technician and Environmental Technician, which generally make around $20,000 and $28,000 respectively.

 The best paid region for Forestry graduates is The Far West. OR has the highest earning Forestry alumni of any state.



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Forestry: Median Professor Rating: 4.2 / 5, which is above average.

 Instructors constantly play an important role in shaping your college experience, no matter what you major in. An awesome professor can help a student find their passion and set you up for future success. Conversely, an ineffective professor can mess up your schooling or even worse... flunk you!

 Forestry professors have a median student rating of 4.2 out of 5, putting these professors in the upper 31st percentile in the nation based on overall professor quality. For context a 4.2 rating is 5% higher than the national median professor rating for all subjects. Professors of Forestry slightly out-ranked those from ["Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-animation-interactive-technology-video-graphics-and-special-effects), whereas ["Illustration"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-illustration)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Forestry.

 Now for some statistics about Forestry professors. Colleges located in remote rural areas tend to have the best Forestry professors. The Ivy League has the highest rated Forestry professors. The Plains region has the highest rated Forestry professors. Private colleges tend to have higher rated Forestry professors than public institutions. Finally, Iowa has the highest rated Forestry professors in the US.

 Bruce Lord, instructor at [Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus](/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus)&nbspin University Park, PA is the most popular Forestry professor in America. Nathalie Lavoine, professor at [North Carolina State University at Raleigh](/colleges/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh)&nbspin Raleigh, NC is the highest rated Forestry professor in America, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 See which colleges have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College is a very influential adventure in one's life; it's an opportunity for individual progress and maturation. Pupils begin to learn what they want to do with their lives and learn many of the required skills to become a flourishing member of society. But growth goes far beyond the classroom - the conversations which one has with his peers, the funny story learned from a tenured instructor, the exposure to a different way of thinking. Therefore, finding a diverse college tremendously enriches what one gains from the time spent in university.

 Forestry is in the bottom 10% of subjects for racial diversity\*. 82% of the United States' Forestry majors are white students, followed by students of other races\*\*(10%), latino students (6%), and asian students (1%). The most ethnically diverse college\* in the top 100 is [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis) located in Davis, CA.

 Second, Forestry significatly skews male, with 7/10 of students majoring in Forestry identifying as men. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis) in Davis, CA.

 Another substantial type of diversity is financial diversity. Forestry ranks in the top 19% of majors for wealth diversity. 28% of its majors come from families earning above $110,000 a year, 17% are from families bringing in between $48,000 and $75,000 a year, and 24% grew up in families with a sub $30,000 income. [Northland College](/colleges/northland-college) has the most fiscally diverse students in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall CA is the most diverse state for Forestry. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the Big West Conference is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 1%
* Black: 1%
* Latino: 6%
* White: 82%
* Other: 10%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 70%
* Female: 30%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 24%
* 30k - 48k: 15%
* 48k - 75k: 17%
* 75k - 110k: 17%
* Over 110k: 28%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 70%
* Out of State: 26%
* International: 5%


2023 Forestry Cost

There are about 6,083 students enrolled in Forestry in the USA.

COST