by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Forest Sciences & Biology covers Forest Sciences And Biology. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of One Or More Forest-Related Sciences To The Study Of Environmental Factors Affecting Forests And The Growth And Management Of Forest Resources. Includes Instruction In Forest Biology, Forest Hydrology, Forest Mensuration, Silviculture, Forest Soils, Water Resources, Environmental Science, Forest Resources Management, And Wood Science. Read on to learn the important information every forest sciences & biology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering forest sciences & biology programs.
In the U.S., forest sciences & biology is a popular field of study, with 393 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Forest Sciences & Biology Schools ranking analyzes these 22 schools to determine the best overall colleges for forest sciences & biology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of forest sciences & biology programs later in this article.
Programs in Forest Sciences & Biology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations forest sciences & biology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a forest sciences & biology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a forest sciences & biology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several forest sciences & biology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 187 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 148 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 57 |
People currently working in careers related to forest sciences & biology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 31.8% |
| Master’s degree | 12.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in forest sciences & biology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in forest sciences & biology opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to forest sciences & biology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to forest sciences & biology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Foresters | 93,289 | 5.1% |
| Park Naturalists | 46,677 | 9.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of forest sciences & biology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,042 |
| 4 years | $52,066 |
| 5 years | $60,484 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for forest sciences & biology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers forest sciences & biology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Foresters | $93,406 |
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,966 |
| Park Naturalists | $76,516 |
| Range Managers | $59,935 |
With 22 different forest sciences & biology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased forest sciences & biology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in forest sciences & biology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Forestry, General | 1,181 |
| Forest Technology/Technician | 327 |
| Forest Management/Forest Resources Management | 252 |
| Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology/Technician | 95 |
| Urban Forestry | 89 |
| Forestry, Other | 75 |
| Forest Resources Production and Management | 48 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
