Forestry: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Forestry is a multidisciplinary field dedicated to the sustainable stewardship of forest ecosystems, balancing ecological integrity with economic and recreational needs. This program equips students with the scientific, technical, and managerial expertise required to oversee forest resources across diverse landscapes and land-use contexts.
- Forest Ecology and Silviculture: Study of forest ecosystems, tree growth patterns, and regeneration techniques essential for maintaining long-term forest health and productivity.
- Geospatial Mapping and Remote Sensing: Application of GIS, GPS, and satellite imagery to analyze land use, monitor forest cover, and support strategic planning and conservation efforts.
- Natural Resources Economics: Analysis of cost-benefit frameworks, market dynamics, and policy impacts to guide sustainable resource allocation and financial decision-making.
- Forest Harvesting and Production Technology: Training in modern logging methods, equipment operation, and efficient timber extraction that minimize environmental disruption.
- Wildlife and Habitat Management: Integration of biodiversity principles to support species conservation and maintain ecological balance within forested environments.
- Forest Policy and Administration: Exploration of regulatory frameworks, land-use planning, and organizational leadership to manage public and private forest operations effectively.
- Public Engagement and Environmental Communication: Development of strategies to inform communities, collaborate with stakeholders, and promote responsible forest use through clear, evidence-based outreach.
Forestry Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Forestry Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Forestry degrees, including Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, Foresters and Conservation Scientists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 102,790 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1043 | $100,830 | $58,670 - $154,630 | 1,310 | N/A |
| Foresters 19-1032 | $70,660 | $49,240 - $103,220 | 9,650 | $33.97 |
| Conservation Scientists 19-1031 | $67,950 | $45,260 - $107,720 | 25,590 | $32.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers 45-1011 | $59,330 | $39,610 - $90,840 | 29,530 | $28.53 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians 19-4071 | $54,310 | $36,190 - $80,790 | 31,080 | $26.11 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers 45-4011 | $43,680 | $33,050 - $54,190 | 5,630 | $21.00 |
Forestry Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,062 in Florida to $77,194 in Michigan—a 57% difference. The highest-paying states include Michigan, Maryland, and Minnesota. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 102,790 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Forestry by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 44 institutions offering Forestry programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Forestry is found at University of Florida (UF) (178 graduates), Reedley College (123 graduates), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (88 graduates), Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) (66 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) (60 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,181 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Residency
Other Award
|
178 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Reedley College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
123 | Reedley, California | Public | reedleycollege.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
88 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
66 | Nacogdoches, Texas | Public | sfasu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
|
60 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt) |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Arcata, California | Public | humboldt.edu |
| Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
42 | South Lake Tahoe, California | Public | ltcc.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| Citrus College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
36 | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
36 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Ruston, Louisiana | Public | latech.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Syracuse, New York | Public | esf.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAM) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
22 | Monticello, Arkansas | Public | uamont.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Columbia College (CC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Sonora, California | Public | gocolumbia.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
13 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| College of the Redwoods (CR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Eureka, California | Public | redwoods.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Bakersfield College (BC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Bakersfield, California | Public | bakersfieldcollege.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Grays Harbor College (GHC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Aberdeen, Washington | Public | ghc.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Las Vegas, New Mexico | Public | nmhu.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Potomac State College of West Virginia University (WVU) |
Associate's
|
9 | Keyser, West Virginia | Public | potomacstatecollege.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Master's
|
8 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Associate's
|
8 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Master's
|
5 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Master's
|
4 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Shasta College |
Associate's
|
4 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| Butte College |
Other Award
|
2 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Scooba, Mississippi | Public | eastms.edu |
| Eastern Oklahoma State College (EOSC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Wilburton, Oklahoma | Public | eosc.edu |
| Sierra College |
Other Award
|
1 | Rocklin, California | Public | sierracollege.edu |
| Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Scottsbluff, Nebraska | Public | wncc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Forestry programs
How much can I earn with a Forestry degree?
Salaries for Forestry graduates vary by role and location. Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $100,830 annually, while Foresters earn around $70,660. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Michigan average $77,194 compared to $49,062 in Florida. Approximately 102,790 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Forestry programs?
Currently 44 accredited institutions offer Forestry degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Florida (UF) (178 graduates), Reedley College (123 graduates), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (88 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Forestry growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 948 in 2010 to 1,181 in 2023-24. This represents a 25% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Forestry degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, Foresters, and Conservation Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 102,790 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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