Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Fontana, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Forestry & Natural Resources degree analysis for Fontana, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Fontana
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Forestry & Natural Resources in Fontana, CA Overview
Fontana, California (pop. 214,547) has 18 colleges offering Forestry & Natural Resources programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,423/month. Forestry & Natural Resources enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Forest Management and GIS. The adjusted starting salary in Fontana is approximately $53,000.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$11,333/yr
Private Tuition
$38,840/yr
Room & Board
$18,944/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,336/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Forestry & Natural Resources Salary in Fontana (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fontana's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forestry & Natural Resources salary: $50,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Fontana adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Forestry & Natural Resources ROI Calculator for Fontana
Estimate your return on investment for a Forestry & Natural Resources degree using local Fontana tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,333 | Private avg: $38,840
Fontana avg aid: $11,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$121,108
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,900
vs HS diploma in Fontana
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fontana
$281,692
Lifetime earnings premium ($402,800) minus total education cost ($121,108)
Student Loan Payoff for Forestry & Natural Resources in Fontana
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fontana for Forestry & Natural Resources
California Baptist University Fontana
private
$38,840/yr
$155,360 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chaffey College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Forestry & Natural Resources in Fontana
Fontana offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Forestry & Natural Resources graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fontana Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Forestry & Natural Resources Job Titles
Forestry & Natural Resources in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Agriculture Majors in Fontana
Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Fontana — 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 Fontana.