by our College Data Analytics TeamForestry is a major that combines many aspects of environmental conservation and management. Professionals have the ability to analyze the growth and production of trees, determine the relationship between forests and wildlife, and work to prevent forest fires. If you love the outdoors and would like to use scientific and mathematical skills to problem solve, Forestry may be your major.
Within the general major of Forestry are specific concentrations that allow you to work in different fields caring for trees near dense populations or determining how to grow trees for wood products while maintaining a balance with living organisms in the area. Some specific Forestry concentrations include Forest Sciences and Biology, Forest Management/Forest Resources Management, Urban Forestry, Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology, Forest Resources Production and Management, and Forest Technology/Technician.
When deciding on a school, keep in mind employers often employ applicants who have degrees from programs that are accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and other organizations.
Forestry was the 189th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 2,233 degrees in this year alone. This 59 less than the prior year, a decrease of 2.6%.
Our 2023 Best Forestry Schools ranking analyzes 44 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for forestry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of forestry programs later in this article.
A career in forestry requires a strong background in science, math, and computer science. A successful forester loves the outdoors and enjoys problem solving. Since a lot of the job requires being outside, you should be passionate about the outdoors and in good physical shape. You must also have strong analytical and critical thinking skills so you can properly analyze the data collected and decide how to best approach issues concerning trees, their production and product collection, and their relationship to local populations.
Foresters spend much of their time outdoors, possibly in remote locations, depending on the type of work they are doing. Work is done in all types of weather conditions, can be physically demanding, and may require extended stays at campsites. However, there are career options that allow foresters to work in labs, or work with the public teaching others about conservation and how to properly interact with the natural environment. Most forester jobs follow an average work schedule with occasional long hours when working on projects.
Internships, summer jobs, or work with environmental agencies is the best way to gain experience in the Forestry field. These experiences give students basic knowledge and forestry skills.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific forestry careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Forestry degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in forestry to the highest forestry degree, a . The type of forestry degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to forestry, with approximately 49.5% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for forestry workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 43.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 15.0% |
| High School Diploma | 11.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 8.8% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 7.0% |
68.0% of forestry workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in forestry have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which forestry career you choose.
Many foresters are employed by state or federal governments, which oversee national parks, and work as forest and park rangers, managers or supervisors. Foresters are also employed by private firms to work as growers, assessors, and consultants or work in offices and labs performing experiments and working to create policies or solutions to forest related issues.
Currently the job market for foresters hasn't seen much of an increase, but the demand for foresters is expected to increase as the concern for environmental issues increases.
Want a job when you graduate with your forestry degree? Forestry careers are expected to grow 3.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to forestry.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Worker Supervisors | 49,700 | 2.1% |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | 34,500 | 3.9% |
| Conservation Scientists | 23,700 | 6.3% |
| Foresters | 12,900 | 4.9% |
| Forestry & Conservation Science Professors | 2,300 | 4.5% |
Recently graduated forestry students earned an average of $38,896 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $27,822 to as high as $54,960. As you might expect, salaries for forestry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for forestry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers forestry grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Forestry & Conservation Science Professors | $92,550 |
| Conservation Scientists | $65,320 |
| Foresters | $63,150 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Worker Supervisors | $50,790 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $40,110 |
With over 318 different forestry degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased forestry school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Forestry that might interest you.
One of 5 majors within the Natural Resources & Conservation area of study, Forestry has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Forestry, General | 878 |
| Forest Sciences & Biology | 406 |
| Forest Technology/Technician | 327 |
| Forest Management/Forest Resources Management | 293 |
| Forestry, Other | 130 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation | 22,254 |
| Natural Resource Management | 2,933 |
| Wildlife Management | 2,449 |
| Fisheries Sciences | 483 |
| Natural Resources Conservation (Other) | 151 |
Image Credit: By Bureau of Land Management under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
