Forestry & Natural Resources Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Sustainable management of forests, wildlife habitats, and natural resources.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$65K
salary
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Forestry & Natural Resources Overview
Sustainable management of forests, wildlife habitats, and natural resources.
Category
Agriculture
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
65%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
18%
Lifetime Premium
$380K
Female Graduates
38%
Forestry & Natural Resources Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$12,600
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$12,600
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$367,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($380,000) minus net degree cost ($12,600)
Forestry & Natural Resources Salary Progression
Common Forestry & Natural Resources Careers
Forester
Wildlife Biologist
Park Ranger
Conservation Officer
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Forestry & Natural Resources
#1
Oregon State
#2
University of Montana
#3
Colorado State
#4
NC State
#5
Stephen F. Austin
Related Majors
Forestry & Natural Resources Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Forestry & Natural Resources Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for forestry & natural resources programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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