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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Forestry, General Bachelor’s Degree Schools

17 Colleges in the United States
$22,586 Avg Student Debt
$61,678 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Forestry, General Bachelor's Degree Badge [Forestry, General](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/general-forestry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 56 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for forestry, general students.

What’s on this page:

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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
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in forestry, general in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $15,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Humboldt State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. 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. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #3 place for forestry, general. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $23,371. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $43,228. That is a strong return on a $23,371 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Louisiana Tech University earned it the #4 place for forestry, general. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $44,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Idaho came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $18,000. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $47,399. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

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

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in forestry, general this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $19,844. Forestry, General graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $43,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #7 position for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $24,893 in student loans. Forestry, General graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,893 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

8

University Of Georgia landed the #8 spot for forestry, general value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. Forestry, General graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $47,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

9

Northern Arizona University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $22,698 in student loans. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $40,435. That is a strong return on a $22,698 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

10

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Forestry, General graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Forestry, General graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $55,092 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

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Stephen F Austin State University landed the #11 spot for forestry, general value this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the forestry, general program here. Forestry, General graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $39,953 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.

12

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #12 position for value in forestry, general this year. 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. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $24,749. Forestry, General graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $61,142 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

13

Michigan Technological University came in at #13 for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $45,571. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

14

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #14 for value in forestry, general this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,512 to complete the forestry, general program here. Forestry, General graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $35,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

15

University Of Maine placed #15 among the best values for forestry, general. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $23,618 to complete the forestry, general program here. 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.

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The University Of Montana earned the #16 position for value in forestry, general this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $24,342. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $42,654. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

Iowa State University placed #17 among the best values for forestry, general. 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, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,437 to complete the forestry, general program here. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,900. Set against $19,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

18

Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #18 for value in forestry, general this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,303, compared with $22,263 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,763 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 63%.

19

The University Of Tennessee ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $27,000. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $31,441. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

20

Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #20 among the best values for forestry, general. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $24,200. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $37,539. That is a strong return on a $24,200 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.

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21
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #21 spot for forestry, general value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $31,000. Early-career forestry, general graduates make about $39,178. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

22
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $22,607. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.

23

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry, general schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $20,919. Soon after graduation, forestry, general degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $45,817. That is a strong return on a $20,919 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

24
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #24 for value in forestry, general this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for forestry, general graduates is $20,500. Forestry, General graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $51,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

Other Forestry, General Degree Levels

Explore the best-value forestry, general schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Forestry, General
Associate's Degrees in Forestry, General
Master's Degrees in Forestry, General
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View All Forestry, General Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 17 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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