by our College Data Analytics Team
[Forestry](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for forestry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forestry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Reedley College earned the #1 spot for value among forestry schools in the Far Western Region. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in forestry will find it at Citrus College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Bakersfield College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forestry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Forestry graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Green River Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
Lake Tahoe Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools. Set in the rural area of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,131, with out-of-state students paying around $11,103. Median earnings reach $36,657 ten years out.
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Humboldt State University earned the #6 position for value in forestry this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $52,810. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #7 for value in forestry this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Forestry graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #9 spot for forestry value this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Forestry graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $50,691. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Sonora earned the #10 position for value in forestry this year. Located in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public university. 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. Early-career forestry graduates make about $103,727. Set against $13,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #11 among the best values for forestry. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $55,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Oregon State University landed the #12 spot for forestry value this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $56,550. Set against $24,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.