Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Scottsdale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Forestry & Natural Resources degree analysis for Scottsdale, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$63K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$82K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.6 yrs
in Scottsdale
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Forestry & Natural Resources in Scottsdale, AZ Overview
Scottsdale, Arizona (pop. 241,361) has 16 colleges offering Forestry & Natural Resources programs. The local cost of living index of 126 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,416/month. Forestry & Natural Resources enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Forest Management and GIS. The adjusted starting salary in Scottsdale is approximately $63,000.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$2,580/yr
Private Tuition
$47,544/yr
Room & Board
$14,253/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,836/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
50%
Forestry & Natural Resources Salary in Scottsdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Scottsdale's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forestry & Natural Resources salary: $50,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Scottsdale adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Forestry & Natural Resources ROI Calculator for Scottsdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Forestry & Natural Resources degree using local Scottsdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $2,580 | Private avg: $47,544
Scottsdale avg aid: $14,836/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$67,332
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,900
vs HS diploma in Scottsdale
ROI Payback Period
3.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Scottsdale
$411,468
Lifetime earnings premium ($478,800) minus total education cost ($67,332)
Student Loan Payoff for Forestry & Natural Resources in Scottsdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Scottsdale for Forestry & Natural Resources
Scottsdale Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Scottsdale Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Forestry & Natural Resources in Scottsdale
Scottsdale offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Forestry & Natural Resources graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Scottsdale Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Forestry & Natural Resources Job Titles
Forestry & Natural Resources in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Agriculture Majors in Scottsdale
Forestry & Natural Resources Degree in Scottsdale — 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 Scottsdale.