by our College Data Analytics Team
[Forestry](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/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 44 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.
Leading the list is Coastal Pines Technical College, our #1 best value for forestry in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $5,812. Early-career forestry graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in forestry will find it at Wayne Community College, which ranked #2. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Forestry graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $33,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Horry Georgetown Technical College one of the best values for forestry. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,622 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $36,135 early in their careers. Set against $12,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in forestry will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $15,512. Forestry graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,653 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,512 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in forestry will find it at Central Louisiana Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Alexandria, Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,098, compared with $4,363 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Central Louisiana Technical Community College generally make around $18,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College earned the #6 position for value in forestry this year. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Tifton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $10,588 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $20,282. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College generally make around $40,065. Set against $20,282 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Jones County Junior College came in at #7 for value in forestry 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. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Jones County Junior College generally make around $33,655. That is a strong return on a $9,559 median debt.
Sowela Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for forestry value this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. Forestry graduates carry a median of $7,391 in student loans. Forestry graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $45,827 early in their careers. Set against $7,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Georgia came in at #9 for value in forestry this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $22,607. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $46,687. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University placed #10 among the best values for forestry. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,371 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $43,228. Set against $23,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value forestry schools. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $44,120. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello came in at #12 for value in forestry this year. Set in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. 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.
Mississippi State University came in at #13 for value in forestry this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $40,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #14 for value in forestry this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,749 to complete the forestry program here. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $61,142. That is a strong return on a $24,749 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky came in at #15 for value in forestry this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Early-career forestry graduates make about $32,573. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #16 position for value in forestry this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Forestry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Forestry graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $31,441 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Clemson University earned the #17 position for value in forestry this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for forestry graduates is $24,700. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,850. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #18 spot for forestry value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,919 to complete the forestry program here. Early-career forestry graduates make about $45,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #19 spot for forestry value this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the forestry program here. Forestry graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $51,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Duke University earned the #20 position for value in forestry this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Forestry graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forestry degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.