Only 3 colleges in the country offer Forest Engineering, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $71,680.
This page covers Forest Engineering as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Forest Engineering is a focused area of study within Engineering. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $71,680 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 3 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 57 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$51,279
Median Earnings · 4yr
$71,680
Colleges Offering
3
Graduates / Year
57
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,604
How Much Do Forest Engineering Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Forest Engineering, a typical graduate earns $71,680, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $60,278 and $80,328, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $51,279 at one year out to $71,680 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$71,680
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$72,107
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Forest Engineering graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$60,27825th pct.
$71,680Median
$80,32875th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $71,680 against an estimated $78,416 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 3 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 57 students who complete Forest Engineering programs each year, the majority (100%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
100%
Bachelor's100%
What Can You Do With a Forest Engineering Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Forest Engineering graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Architectural & Engineering Manager pays the most at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Top Colleges for Forest Engineering
Only 1 colleges had enough verified data to appear here for Forest Engineering. They are sorted by graduate volume, not selectivity, so use them as a starting point rather than a ranking.
Ranked by Forest Engineering graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Programs
Forest Engineering is not the only path through Engineering: 37 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Forest Engineering program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Forest Engineering a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $71,680 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $51,279 at graduation to $71,680 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +7.8% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 18,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Limited program availabilityOnly 3 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
$71,680 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $60,278 and $80,328, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Forest Engineering degree?
$51,279 in the first year out. That grows to $71,680 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Forest Engineering degree?
Architectural & Engineering Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $171,270 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Forest Engineering program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Forest Engineering bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Forest Engineering?
3 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Forest Engineering degree worth it?
$71,680 median earnings four years out against $19,604 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Forest Engineering and Engineering?
Forest Engineering is the narrower of the two: Engineering covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Forest Engineering-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Forest Engineering graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Forest Engineering graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Forest Engineering graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Forest Engineering graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +6.7% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Engineering Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +7.8%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Engineering Programs
Other programs in Engineering. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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