Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Forestry & Natural Resources degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Forestry & Natural Resources in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering Forestry & Natural Resources programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/month. Forestry & Natural Resources enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Forest Management and GIS. The adjusted starting salary in Joliet is approximately $54,000.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
70%
Forestry & Natural Resources Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forestry & Natural Resources salary: $50,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Forestry & Natural Resources ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a Forestry & Natural Resources degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980
Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,200
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$322,512
Lifetime earnings premium ($410,400) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for Forestry & Natural Resources in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Joliet for Forestry & Natural Resources
University of St. Francis
private
$36,980/yr
$147,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Joliet Junior College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Forestry & Natural Resources in Joliet
Joliet offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Forestry & Natural Resources graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Joliet Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Forestry & Natural Resources Job Titles
Forestry & Natural Resources in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Agriculture Majors in Joliet
Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Joliet — 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 Joliet.