2026 Best Forestry Schools
Looking for the best Forestry programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 136 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Forestry Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Pennsylvania College Of Technology tops our 2026 ranking of the best Forestry programs schools in the United States. This public school is set in Williamsport, PA. Pennsylvania College Of Technology graduates 45% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,940 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Forestry program here. Read the full report on Pennsylvania College Of Technology
Out of the 136 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Duke University landed the #2 spot. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. The median Forestry program debt is $13,296. Read the full report on Duke University
Out of the 136 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #3 spot. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $24,749 to complete their Forestry program here. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Out of the 136 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Georgia landed the #4 spot. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Out of the 136 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #5 spot. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical Forestry student debt is $16,481. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Oregon State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Read more about Oregon State University
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. University Of California Berkeley Forestry students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Auburn University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Auburn University Forestry students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. See the full Auburn University profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Forestry students take on a median of $20,919 in debt. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Texas A And M University College Station placed #10 among Forestry schools in the United States. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. The median Forestry program debt is $19,500. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
Clemson University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Clemson University Forestry students take on a median of $24,700 in debt. Read more about Clemson University
Haywood Community College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Clyde, NC, Haywood Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,580, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. More on Haywood Community College
Washington State University did well this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. About 60% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical Forestry student debt is $21,903. Read the full report on Washington State University
Michigan Technological University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Michigan Technological University Forestry students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. Set in Syracuse, NY, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,303, with out-of-state students paying around $22,263. Get the full Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry report
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical Forestry student debt is $19,437. More on Iowa State University
Northland College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ashland, WI. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $44,403 in tuition and fees. Typical Forestry student debt is $26,750. Read the full report on Northland College
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. The median Forestry program debt is $14,404. Read more about University Of California Davis
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. This public school is set in Stevens Point, WI. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Graduates carry a median of $24,893 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical Forestry student debt is $23,059. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #21 in this year's ranking. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Forestry program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Mississippi State University placed #23 among Forestry schools in the United States. Mississippi State University is a public school based in Mississippi State, MS. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete their Forestry program here. Get the full Mississippi State University report
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. The median Forestry program debt is $19,844. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Michigan State University placed #25 among Forestry schools in the United States. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical Forestry student debt is $31,000. Read more about Michigan State University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete their Forestry program here. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Rest of the Top 50 Best Forestry Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Loyola University Chicago did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical Forestry student debt is $23,521. Read the full report on Loyola University Chicago
West Virginia University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Graduates carry a median of $23,371 in student loans. More on West Virginia University
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Based in Nacogdoches, TX, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical Forestry student debt is $22,250. Read the full report on Stephen F Austin State University
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. This public school is set in Fort Collins, CO. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical Forestry student debt is $24,200. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Idaho did well this year, earning the #31 position. This public school is set in Moscow, ID. About 57% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. University Of Idaho Forestry students take on a median of $18,000 in debt. Read more about University Of Idaho
Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in Paul Smiths, NY, Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science is a private not-for-profit institution. Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. In-state tuition and fees run about $33,009. Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science Forestry students take on a median of $25,443 in debt. Read more about Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science
University Of Florida did well this year, earning the #33 position. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. The median Forestry program debt is $15,512. Get the full University Of Florida report
University Of Kentucky ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. University Of Kentucky is a public school based in Lexington, KY. University Of Kentucky posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. University Of Kentucky Forestry students take on a median of $24,094 in debt. Read more about University Of Kentucky
University Of Missouri Columbia did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. University Of Missouri Columbia Forestry students take on a median of $21,818 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #36 among Forestry schools in the United States. This public school is set in Carbondale, IL. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical Forestry student debt is $21,512. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Humboldt State University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Humboldt State University is a public school based in Arcata, CA. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Get the full Humboldt State University report
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. University Of Nevada Reno Forestry students take on a median of $19,918 in debt. See the full University Of Nevada Reno profile
Louisiana Tech University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. This public school is set in Ruston, LA. Louisiana Tech University graduates 62% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. The median Forestry program debt is $24,250. Get the full Louisiana Tech University report
University Of Maine came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. University Of Maine graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,618 to complete their Forestry program here. See the full University Of Maine profile
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College placed #41 among Forestry schools in the United States. Located in Tifton, GA, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a public institution. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $10,588. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Forestry students take on a median of $20,282 in debt. Read more about Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #42 among Forestry schools in the United States. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public school based in Durham, NH. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus graduates 76% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Get the full University Of New Hampshire Main Campus report
The University Of Tennessee landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. The median Forestry program debt is $27,000. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #44 among Forestry schools in the United States. Located in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical Forestry student debt is $25,234. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Vermont came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Based in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. More on University Of Vermont
Glenville State College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. Set in Glenville, WV, Glenville State College is a public institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, compared with $11,354 for out-of-state students. Glenville State College Forestry students take on a median of $25,967 in debt. More on Glenville State College
The University Of Montana came in at #47 in this year's ranking. The University Of Montana is a public school based in Missoula, MT. The University Of Montana graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. The median Forestry program debt is $24,342. See the full The University Of Montana profile
Northern Arizona University placed #48 among Forestry schools in the United States. This public school is set in Flagstaff, AZ. Northern Arizona University posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Northern Arizona University Forestry students take on a median of $21,811 in debt. Read the full report on Northern Arizona University
Hocking College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Forestry schools. Hocking College is a public school based in Nelsonville, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Typical Forestry student debt is $16,535. More on Hocking College
Athens Technical College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Get the full Athens Technical College report
University Of Maine At Fort Kent landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Maine At Fort Kent
Best Forestry Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Forestry Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Forestry Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Forestry Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Forestry Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Forestry Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Forestry Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Forestry Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 136 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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