Forestry at Boise State University

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 looks manageable on paper, but peer programs in Idaho suggest graduates might do better than the national estimate of $43,029 indicates. The University of Idaho's forestry program—the only in-state comparison with actual data—shows first-year earnings of $47,399, about $4,400 higher. That gap matters when you're carrying an estimated $22,607 in student debt, as it translates to several months of extra payments.

What's harder to assess is whether Boise State's program will match University of Idaho's outcomes or fall closer to the national median. Forestry programs nationally show relatively consistent earnings—the 75th percentile sits at just $45,817—so there's not massive variation between strong and weak programs. Still, without actual graduate data from Boise State, you're making assumptions about how competitive its graduates will be in Idaho's forestry job market compared to University of Idaho's well-established program.

The practical decision: if your student can get into University of Idaho's forestry program, the known outcome provides more certainty. If Boise State is the more accessible or affordable option during school, the estimated debt burden isn't crushing even at the lower national earnings figure, but you should expect some financial constraint in those first few years after graduation.