Forestry at Michigan Technological University

Michigan Tech's forestry graduates start at $45,571—outpacing both the national median by $2,500 and nearly every other forestry program in the country. With only one other Michigan school offering this program (Michigan State, where grads earn $6,400 less), Michigan Tech effectively owns the in-state market for forestry education. The $27,000 median debt sits well below the state average and translates to a manageable debt burden of just 0.59 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about seven months of gross income.

The trajectory looks solid too: earnings climb 18% by year four to reach $53,543, showing steady career progression in a field that doesn't typically command sky-high salaries. That said, the small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—means a couple of outlier careers could skew these numbers significantly. The program might serve a niche well, or these figures might reflect a handful of exceptionally successful grads.

For families considering forestry as a career path, this data suggests Michigan Tech delivers strong value. The combination of top-quartile national earnings, below-average debt, and Michigan's natural resources industry makes this a practical choice for students genuinely interested in the field. Just recognize you're betting on a small-sample dataset rather than a well-established track record.