Forestry at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Abraham Baldwin's forestry program graduates students with manageable debt—$20,282 is below both state and national averages—but the earnings lag behind what you'd find at other schools. Starting at just over $40,000, graduates earn about $3,000 less than the typical Georgia forestry graduate and fall in the 30th percentile nationally. For context, University of Georgia's forestry program produces graduates earning $47,000 out of the gate, a significant $7,000 premium that compounds over a career.

The 9% earnings growth over four years is modest but steady, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 means graduates should be able to manage loan payments comfortably. The real question is whether the lower cost of attendance (reflected in that below-average debt) offsets the earnings gap. For students committed to forestry who need an accessible entry point—the school's 77% admission rate suggests it serves a broad population—this program gets you credentialed without crushing debt.

However, if your child can gain admission to UGA's program, the earnings difference likely justifies any additional investment. ABAC's forestry degree is financially viable but not particularly competitive within the field. It's a functional choice for students who need this specific major at an affordable price, but families should understand they're trading lower upfront costs for below-average career earnings.