Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Bridgeport, CT — Salary & ROI 2026
Forestry & Natural Resources degree analysis for Bridgeport, CT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$92K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Bridgeport
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Forestry & Natural Resources in Bridgeport, CT Overview
Bridgeport, Connecticut (pop. 148,529) has 11 colleges offering Forestry & Natural Resources programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,763/month. Forestry & Natural Resources enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Forest Management and GIS. The adjusted starting salary in Bridgeport is approximately $70,500.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$13,201/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$19,837/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,621/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
69%
Forestry & Natural Resources Salary in Bridgeport (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bridgeport's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forestry & Natural Resources salary: $50,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Bridgeport adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Forestry & Natural Resources ROI Calculator for Bridgeport
Estimate your return on investment for a Forestry & Natural Resources degree using local Bridgeport tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,201 | Private avg: $35,160
Bridgeport avg aid: $10,621/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$132,152
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,150
vs HS diploma in Bridgeport
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bridgeport
$403,648
Lifetime earnings premium ($535,800) minus total education cost ($132,152)
Student Loan Payoff for Forestry & Natural Resources in Bridgeport
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bridgeport for Forestry & Natural Resources
University of Bridgeport
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Housatonic Community College
$4,920/yr
Top Employers for Forestry & Natural Resources in Bridgeport
Bridgeport offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Forestry & Natural Resources graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bridgeport Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Forestry & Natural Resources Job Titles
Forestry & Natural Resources in Nearby Connecticut Cities
Stamford, CT
$71K starting · COL 141
7 colleges
New Haven, CT
$62K starting · COL 123
10 colleges
Hartford, CT
$58K starting · COL 116
10 colleges
Waterbury, CT
$70K starting · COL 140
8 colleges
Norwalk, CT
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Danbury, CT
$58K starting · COL 115.2
4 colleges
New Britain, CT
$55K starting · COL 109.7
3 colleges
West Hartford, CT
$56K starting · COL 112.5
3 colleges
Other Agriculture Majors in Bridgeport
Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Bridgeport — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Forestry & Natural Resources ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bridgeport.