Compare 15 Forestry. programs in the South. Average earnings: $47,670.
Forestry programs in the South produce graduates earning between $31,441 and $63,034—a $32K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 15 ranked programs, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh's Forestry program leads with graduates earning $63,034, well above the regional average of $48K. University of Georgia follows at $58,005, while Virginia Tech delivers $56,777. These outcomes prove that program-level factors drive success more than overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. North Carolina State graduates borrow $20,121 and face just a 6.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making the investment easily manageable.
Highest program earnings: $63,034
Strong outcomes with 57% acceptance
6.8% payment burden | Excellent
15.8% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $63,034 | 73 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $58,005 | 22 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Manageable |
| #3 | $56,777 | 99 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $54,330 | 48 | $22,142 | Good | $25,567 | Challenging | |
| #5 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $54,006 | 28 | $22,500 | Good | $32,980 | High |
| #6 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $52,321 | 39 | $21,000 | Good | $43,605 | High |
| #7 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $47,702 | 14 | $22,500 | Manageable | $30,006 | High |
| #8 | $44,120 | 21 | $22,135 | Manageable | $18,071 | High | |
| #9 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $43,901 | 20 | $24,500 | Manageable | $16,398 | High |
| #10 | $43,482 | 23 | $16,750 | Good | $9,604 | Challenging | |
| #11 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $43,033 | 28 | $21,500 | Manageable | $35,463 | High |
| #12 | University Of FloridaPublic | $42,679 | 62 | $15,000 | Good | $18,837 | High |
| #13 | $40,314 | 23 | $17,804 | Manageable | $32,258 | High | |
| #14 | $39,909 | 28 | $23,409 | Challenging | $18,080 | High | |
| #15 | $31,441 | 17 | $20,500 | High | $30,610 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
