Compare 8 Forestry. programs in the West. Average earnings: $51,825.
With top graduates earning $67,118, Forestry stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $15K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Forestry program leads with graduates earning $67,118, well above the $51,825 average across 8 western programs. Oregon State University follows at $64,041, demonstrating how regional publics compete effectively in specialized fields where program focus trumps overall rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cal Poly SLO graduates borrow $18,500 and face just a 5.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making top outcomes genuinely affordable.
Highest program earnings: $67,118
Strong outcomes ($64,041) with 79% acceptance
5.7% payment burden | Excellent
18.0% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $67,118 | 31 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $64,041 | 12 | $21,221 | Excellent | $28,923 | Challenging |
| #3 | $51,526 | 65 | $18,000 | Good | $18,257 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $49,879 | 29 | $19,000 | Good | $23,489 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $49,831 | 25 | $20,000 | Good | $36,000 | High | |
| #6 | University Of IdahoPublic | $46,747 | 38 | $21,982 | Manageable | $21,162 | High |
| #7 | $45,530 | 14 | $22,400 | Manageable | $19,000 | High | |
| #8 | $39,927 | 10 | $18,922 | Manageable | $26,150 | 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 →
