Forestry at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State's forestry program starts graduates at $40,219—about 7% below the national median—but that initial lag masks an impressive trajectory. By year four, earnings jump 35% to $54,330, outpacing what three-quarters of forestry programs nationally deliver at that stage. For students entering Mississippi's timber and natural resources sectors, this growth pattern suggests the program opens doors to career advancement that compensate for the modest starting salary.

The debt picture strengthens the case: at $19,750, graduates carry about $3,000 less than the typical forestry student nationwide, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.50. That's manageable territory, especially given the earnings acceleration. Since Mississippi State is the only school in the state offering this degree, in-state students benefit from lower tuition without sacrificing program quality—the 60th percentile state ranking simply reflects that it's the sole option, not a mediocre one.

For families considering forestry careers, this program offers a practical path: reasonable debt, strong upward mobility, and access to Mississippi's significant forestry industry (the state ranks among the top timber producers nationally). The early earnings might seem underwhelming, but the four-year data tells a different story about long-term value.