Forestry at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State's forestry program starts graduates at $37,539—below the national median for forestry grads—but here's the catch: it's the only forestry bachelor's program in Colorado, and earnings jump 33% to nearly $50,000 within four years. That trajectory matters more than the modest starting salary, especially since you're borrowing just $24,200, which keeps your first-year debt burden manageable at 0.64 times earnings.

The national ranking at the 21st percentile looks concerning until you consider the context. Forestry salaries vary wildly by region and specialization, and Colorado's competitive natural resource sector may explain why graduates see such strong mid-career growth. The real question is whether your student plans to stay in Colorado or the Mountain West, where CSU's connections run deep. If they're targeting federal land management or conservation work in this region, the program's in-state advantage outweighs its weaker national comparison.

With a 90% admission rate, this isn't a selective program, but the moderate sample size suggests reasonable employment outcomes for those who complete it. The debt load won't trap your graduate in the wrong job while they build experience. For students genuinely committed to forestry careers in the Rocky Mountain region, this represents a solid investment—just understand the first year requires financial patience.