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2026 Best Value Forestry, General Schools

18 Colleges in the United States
$20,597 Avg Student Debt
$58,339 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Forestry, General Badge [Forestry, General](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/general-forestry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 56 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value forestry, general schools.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Forestry, General School for You

Where you study forestry, general affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Forestry, General Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

Learn more about our methodology

One Size Does Not Fit All

We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Forestry, General Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Forestry, General
Bachelor's Degrees in Forestry, General
Master's Degrees in Forestry, General
Doctorate Degrees in Forestry, General

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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2026 Best Value Forestry, General Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forestry, general, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Forestry, General Schools

1
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College tops our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools in the United States. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

A rank of #2 makes Citrus College one of the best values for forestry, general. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.

3
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #3 place for forestry, general. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,512 to complete the forestry, general program here. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

4
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

A rank of #4 makes Bakersfield College one of the best values for forestry, general. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $9,419. Forestry, General graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
Lake Tahoe Community College crest
Lake Tahoe Community College
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Students looking for strong value in forestry, general will find it at Lake Tahoe Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,131 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,103. Median earnings reach $36,657 ten years out.

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6

Humboldt State University earned the #6 position for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the forestry, general program here. Forestry, General graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $52,810 early in their careers. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

7

West Virginia University came in at #7 for value in forestry, general this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $23,371. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $43,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

8

Louisiana Tech University placed #8 among the best values for forestry, general. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the forestry, general program here. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $44,120. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Georgia landed the #9 spot for forestry, general value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $22,607. Forestry, General graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $46,687 early in their careers. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

10

University Of Idaho landed the #10 spot for forestry, general value this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $18,000. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $47,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

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11

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $24,893 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

12
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for forestry, general value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $45,022. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

13

University Of Arkansas At Monticello came in at #13 for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,292, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $15,611. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $41,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Northern Arizona University earned the #14 position for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,811 to complete the forestry, general program here. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $41,790. That is a strong return on a $21,811 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

15

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #15 spot for forestry, general value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the forestry, general program here. Forestry, General graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $55,092 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #16 for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Forestry, General graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $39,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

17

Columbia College Sonora landed the #17 spot for forestry, general value this year. Located in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $13,293. Forestry, General graduates of Columbia College Sonora earn a median of $103,727 early in their careers. Set against $13,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #18 among the best values for forestry, general. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $24,749 to complete the forestry, general program here. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $61,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

19

Michigan Technological University earned the #19 position for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the forestry, general program here. Forestry, General graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $45,771 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

20

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #20 position for value in forestry, general 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. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $21,512. Soon after graduation, forestry, general 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.

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21

University Of Maine landed the #21 spot for forestry, general value this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $23,618. Forestry, General graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $43,901 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,618 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

22

The University Of Montana landed the #22 spot for forestry, general value this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.

23

Iowa State University came in at #23 for value in forestry, general this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $19,437. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $53,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

24

Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #24 for value in forestry, general this year. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $9,303, compared with $22,263 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,763. The acceptance rate is 63%.

25

The University Of Tennessee landed the #25 spot for forestry, general value this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $31,441. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Forestry, General Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in forestry, general:

26
27
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
28
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT
29
30
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
31
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Forestry, General. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 56 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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