Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026
Forestry & Natural Resources degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Jackson
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Forestry & Natural Resources in Jackson, MS Overview
Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Forestry & Natural Resources programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/month. Forestry & Natural Resources enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Forest Management and GIS. The adjusted starting salary in Jackson is approximately $46,500.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$8,684/yr
Private Tuition
$27,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,839/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,629/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
62%
Forestry & Natural Resources Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forestry & Natural Resources salary: $50,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Forestry & Natural Resources ROI Calculator for Jackson
Estimate your return on investment for a Forestry & Natural Resources degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400
Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,092
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,950
vs HS diploma in Jackson
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Jackson
$267,308
Lifetime earnings premium ($353,400) minus total education cost ($86,092)
Student Loan Payoff for Forestry & Natural Resources in Jackson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Jackson for Forestry & Natural Resources
Jackson State University
public
$8,684/yr
$34,736 total
Belhaven University
private
$27,400/yr
$109,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hinds Community College
$3,300/yr
Top Employers for Forestry & Natural Resources in Jackson
Jackson offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Forestry & Natural Resources graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Forestry & Natural Resources Job Titles
Forestry & Natural Resources in Nearby Mississippi Cities
Other Agriculture Majors in Jackson
Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Jackson — 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 Jackson.