2026 Best Value Forest Sciences & Biology Schools

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #1 spot for value among forest sciences & biology schools in the United States. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

2

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

Students looking for strong value in forest sciences & biology will find it at West Virginia University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $23,371 in student loans. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $43,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

3

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

Students looking for strong value in forest sciences & biology will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $46,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

4

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value forest sciences & biology schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,893 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $41,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value forest sciences & biology schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $19,844. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $45,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

6

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University came in at #6 for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $21,811. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $41,790. Set against $21,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

7

Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University earned the #7 position for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $19,750. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $40,219. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

8

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University placed #8 among the best values for forest sciences & biology. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $45,771 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

9

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #9 for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $21,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $35,398. That is a strong return on a $21,512 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky placed #10 among the best values for forest sciences & biology. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for forest sciences & biology graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, forest sciences & biology degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $32,573. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

11

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine came in at #11 for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $23,618 in student loans. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $43,901. Set against $23,618 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

12

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value forest sciences & biology schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $19,437 in student loans. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $39,337 early in their careers. Set against $19,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

13

Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry
Syracuse, NY

Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry earned the #13 position for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, with out-of-state students paying around $22,263. Median earnings reach $55,763 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 63%.

14

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #14 spot for forest sciences & biology value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $24,200 in student loans. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $37,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.

15

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University earned the #15 position for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Forest Sciences & Biology graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,850 early in their careers. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

16

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #16 for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the forest sciences & biology program here. Early-career forest sciences & biology graduates make about $51,421. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

17

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in forest sciences & biology this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.