by our College Data Analytics Team
[Forestry](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/forestry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value forestry schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forestry, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in forestry, no school beat Hocking College this year. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates carry a median of $16,535 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $37,713. Set against $16,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forestry, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $24,893. Early-career forestry graduates make about $41,177. Set against $24,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools. 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, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $19,844. Early-career forestry graduates make about $45,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #4 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for forestry. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $45,771. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #5 place for forestry. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,512 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $35,398. Set against $21,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
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Michigan State University earned the #6 position for value in forestry this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $39,178. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.