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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Forestry Associate’s Degree Schools

4 Colleges in the United States
$13,139 Avg Student Debt
$41,811 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Forestry Associate's Degree Badge [Forestry](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 136 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for forestry students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Forestry Schools in the United States

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

Best Value Forestry Schools

1
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College tops our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools in the United States. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry 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. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.

3
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forestry, landing the #3 spot this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry 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.

4

Students looking for strong value in forestry will find it at Horry Georgetown Technical College, which ranked #4. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Forestry graduates carry a median of $12,622 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $36,135. That is a strong return on a $12,622 median debt.

5

Students looking for strong value in forestry will find it at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College, which ranked #5. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.

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6

Allegany College Of Maryland came in at #6 for value in forestry this year. Set in the town of Cumberland, Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, with out-of-state students paying around $12,620. Forestry graduates carry a median of $18,823 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $42,542. Set against $18,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Jones County Junior College landed the #7 spot for forestry value this year. Located in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,700, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates carry a median of $9,559 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $33,655. That is a strong return on a $9,559 median debt.

8

Green River Community College landed the #8 spot for forestry value this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.

9
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

Hocking College came in at #9 for value in forestry this year. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Forestry graduates carry a median of $16,535 in student loans. Forestry graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $37,713 early in their careers. Set against $16,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #10 spot for forestry value this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $15,611. Forestry graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $41,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,611 median debt.

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11

Columbia College Sonora placed #11 among the best values for forestry. Set in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $13,293. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Columbia College Sonora generally make around $103,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry placed #12 among the best values for forestry. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,763. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

13

Pennsylvania College Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, with out-of-state students paying around $25,680. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $36,719 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Other Forestry Degree Levels

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

All Degree Levels in Forestry
Bachelor's Degrees in Forestry
Master's Degrees in Forestry
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View All Forestry Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 136 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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