Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Grand Rapids, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Forestry & Natural Resources degree analysis for Grand Rapids, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$57K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8 yrs
in Grand Rapids
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Forestry & Natural Resources in Grand Rapids, MI Overview
Grand Rapids, Michigan (pop. 198,917) has 10 colleges offering Forestry & Natural Resources programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Forestry & Natural Resources enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Forest Management and GIS. The adjusted starting salary in Grand Rapids is approximately $44,000.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$13,394/yr
Private Tuition
$39,440/yr
Room & Board
$13,041/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,857/yr
Unemployment
6.8%
Graduation Rate
63%
Forestry & Natural Resources Salary in Grand Rapids (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Grand Rapids's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forestry & Natural Resources salary: $50,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Grand Rapids adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Forestry & Natural Resources ROI Calculator for Grand Rapids
Estimate your return on investment for a Forestry & Natural Resources degree using local Grand Rapids tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,394 | Private avg: $39,440
Grand Rapids avg aid: $7,857/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,740
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,200
vs HS diploma in Grand Rapids
ROI Payback Period
8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Grand Rapids
$228,660
Lifetime earnings premium ($334,400) minus total education cost ($105,740)
Student Loan Payoff for Forestry & Natural Resources in Grand Rapids
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Grand Rapids for Forestry & Natural Resources
Grand Valley State University
public
$13,394/yr
$53,576 total
Calvin University
private
$39,440/yr
$157,760 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Grand Rapids Community College
$4,296/yr
Top Employers for Forestry & Natural Resources in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Forestry & Natural Resources graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Grand Rapids Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Forestry & Natural Resources Job Titles
Forestry & Natural Resources in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$44K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Warren, MI
$44K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Ann Arbor, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
14 colleges
Lansing, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Agriculture Majors in Grand Rapids
Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Grand Rapids — 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 Grand Rapids.