2026 Best Value Forestry Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Forestry master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 136 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Forestry Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat University Of Georgia this year in the United States. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical Forestry student debt is $22,607. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,726 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%. More on University Of Georgia
Out of the 136 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Stephen F Austin State University landed the #2 spot. Located in Nacogdoches, TX, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,634 ten years after entry. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants. Read more about Stephen F Austin State University
You'll get strong value at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #3 this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $24,749 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. That is a strong return on a $24,749 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clemson University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical Forestry student debt is $24,700. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,513. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%. Read more about Clemson University
You'll get strong value at Oregon State University, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Oregon State University alumni report median earnings of $64,010 a decade after entry. Set against $24,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Oregon State University profile
Michigan Technological University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Michigan Technological University alumni report median earnings of $78,198 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Michigan Technological University has an acceptance rate of 92%. See the full Michigan Technological University profile
University Of California Berkeley ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical Forestry student debt is $14,238. Median earnings reach $92,446 ten years out. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
University Of Washington Seattle Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Forestry students take on a median of $16,481 in debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus alumni report median earnings of $78,466 a decade after entry. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #9 among the best-value Forestry schools in the United States. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical Forestry student debt is $20,919. Median earnings reach $81,698 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,919 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University has an acceptance rate of 55%. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. Set in Syracuse, NY, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, compared with $22,263 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,763. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants. Get the full Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry report
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical Forestry student debt is $17,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $90,768. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo has an acceptance rate of 31%. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
Auburn University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Forestry program here. Median earnings reach $65,337 ten years out. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants. Read more about Auburn University
Mississippi State University placed #13 among the best-value Forestry schools in the United States. Mississippi State University is a public school based in Mississippi State, MS. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,513 ten years after entry. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Mississippi State University report
Iowa State University placed #14 among the best-value Forestry schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ames, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Iowa State University Forestry students take on a median of $19,437 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,386. That is a strong return on a $19,437 median debt. Iowa State University has an acceptance rate of 89%. Read more about Iowa State University
West Virginia University placed #15 among the best-value Forestry schools in the United States. Set in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,371 to complete their Forestry program here. Median earnings reach $55,939 ten years out. Set against $23,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read the full report on West Virginia University
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Purdue University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $72,424 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. About 50% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Duke University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Forestry program here. Duke University alumni report median earnings of $97,800 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Duke University
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. The median Forestry program debt is $24,200. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,543. Set against $24,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical Forestry student debt is $15,512. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,512 median debt. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Florida
University Of Kentucky came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Set in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical Forestry student debt is $24,094. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,025. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky has an acceptance rate of 93%. More on University Of Kentucky
University Of Maine ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. University Of Maine is a public school based in Orono, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $23,618 to complete their Forestry program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,653. Set against $23,618 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%. Read more about University Of Maine
Northern Arizona University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical Forestry student debt is $21,811. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,384. That is a strong return on a $21,811 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants. See the full Northern Arizona University profile
Michigan State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Michigan State University Forestry students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,253. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University has an acceptance rate of 85%. Get the full Michigan State University report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Carbondale, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,512 to complete their Forestry program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,390 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale has an acceptance rate of 87%. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
The University Of Tennessee came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Set in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Forestry Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
The University Of Montana came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Missoula, MT. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical Forestry student debt is $24,342. The University Of Montana alumni report median earnings of $44,511 a decade after entry. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. More on The University Of Montana
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #27 among the best-value Forestry schools in the United States. Read more about Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas
Kent State University At Geauga placed #28 among the best-value Forestry schools in the United States. More on Kent State University At Geauga
New Mexico Highlands University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full New Mexico Highlands University report
University Of Maine At Fort Kent offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on University Of Maine At Fort Kent
Shasta College
Shasta College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Shasta College profile
Southwestern Oregon Community College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southwestern Oregon Community College report
South Georgia Technical College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. Get the full South Georgia Technical College report
College Of Lake County ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. See the full College Of Lake County profile
Coastal Pines Technical College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. Read the full report on Coastal Pines Technical College
Leech Lake Tribal College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. Get the full Leech Lake Tribal College report
Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. See the full Southern Arkansas University Tech profile
Hocking College
Hocking College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Hocking College
Kent State University At Trumbull offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Kent State University At Trumbull
Southeastern Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full Southeastern Technical College report
University Of Arkansas At Monticello placed #41 among the best-value Forestry schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas At Monticello
University Of Connecticut placed #42 among the best-value Forestry schools in the United States. See the full University Of Connecticut profile
Madison Area Technical College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Madison Area Technical College
Bakersfield College placed #44 among the best-value Forestry schools in the United States. Get the full Bakersfield College report
Somerset County Technology Center placed #45 among the best-value Forestry schools in the United States. Get the full Somerset County Technology Center report
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. See the full Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois profile
University Of California Davis came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of California Davis
Kent State University At East Liverpool landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Kent State University At East Liverpool
Horry Georgetown Technical College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Forestry schools. See the full Horry Georgetown Technical College profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Related Forestry Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Forestry Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Forestry Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Forestry Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Forestry Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Forestry Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Forestry Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Forestry Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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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