Compare 33 Forestry. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $59,363. Top programs: $86,357+.
Forestry programs produce graduates earning between $36,674 and $86,357—a nearly $50K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 33 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary significantly based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The average of $59,363 masks enormous variation that only program-level data can reveal.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh leads all Forestry programs with graduates earning $86,357—nearly $27K above the field average of $59,363. That gap isn't explained by institutional prestige alone. Cal Poly Humboldt, a regional public in Arcata with a 98% acceptance rate, ranks second at $80K—proof that outcomes here track program quality, not school name.
Strong earnings only matter if debt doesn't erase them. NC State Forestry graduates borrow $20,121 in student loans and face just a 4.3% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' category. For families weighing parent loans, Cal Poly Humboldt leads with a 9.3% combined family burden, rated 'Good,' on combined family debt of $36,257. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $86,357
Strong outcomes ($79,849) with 98% acceptance rate
4.3% payment burden | Excellent — payment under 8% of discretionary
9.3% family burden | Good — payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $86,357 | 81 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Good | |
| #2 | $79,849 | 34 | $18,000 | Excellent | $18,257 | Good | |
| #3 | $77,419 | 39 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #4 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $68,965 | 13 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Manageable |
| #5 | $65,941 | 22 | $22,135 | Excellent | $18,071 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Alabama A & M UniversityPublic | $64,749 | 8 | $31,000 | Good | $19,266 | Manageable |
| #7 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $64,704 | 23 | $21,000 | Excellent | $43,605 | Challenging |
| #8 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $64,568 | 13 | $22,500 | Excellent | $32,980 | Challenging |
| #9 | University Of IdahoPublic | $64,392 | 38 | $21,982 | Excellent | $21,162 | Manageable |
| #10 | $64,204 | 87 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Challenging | |
| #11 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $63,764 | 32 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Challenging |
| #12 | $63,468 | 13 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $62,919 | 30 | $20,000 | Excellent | $36,000 | Challenging | |
| #14 | $60,526 | 15 | $22,400 | Good | $19,000 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $58,651 | 46 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Challenging | |
| #16 | $58,499 | 26 | $22,142 | Good | $25,567 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $57,678 | 26 | $16,750 | Excellent | $9,604 | Good | |
| #18 | $57,664 | 32 | $11,000 | Excellent | $11,551 | Good | |
| #19 | $57,436 | 25 | $20,500 | Good | $30,610 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $56,754 | 13 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Challenging | |
| #21 | University Of MainePublic | $56,124 | 13 | $25,000 | Good | $21,900 | Challenging |
| #22 | $55,912 | 21 | $24,990 | Good | $29,300 | Challenging | |
| #23 | $55,786 | 36 | $23,409 | Good | $18,080 | Challenging | |
| #24 | $55,724 | 13 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #25 | $55,724 | 55 | $21,503 | Good | $14,012 | Manageable |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
