Forestry at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NC State's forestry graduates earn $61,142 in their first year—42% above the national median for forestry programs and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. That's exceptional performance for a field that typically starts in the low-to-mid $40,000s. The debt load of $24,749 is notably low, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, which means graduates owe less than five months' salary. Few bachelor's programs in any field deliver this combination of strong starting pay and manageable debt.

The tradeoff is modest salary progression: earnings tick up just 3% over four years to $63,034. But in the forestry sector, where many professionals prioritize work-life balance and outdoor work over aggressive salary growth, this stability may matter less than the strong foundation. With such low debt, graduates have flexibility to pursue conservation work, government positions, or private sector roles without financial strain.

The data reflects NC State being the only school offering forestry in North Carolina, so the state percentile (60th) is less meaningful here. What matters is that NC State punches well above its weight nationally—likely due to the university's strong industry connections and North Carolina's significant timber and forest products sector. For students committed to forestry, this program delivers exceptional value right out of the gate.