Forestry (Bachelor's Degree) at Salish Kootenai College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$43,029

Est. from national median (29 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,607

Est. from national median (25 programs)

Analysis

In Montana's forestry sector, where The University of Montana reports first-year earnings around $31,000, comparable bachelor's programs nationally suggest earnings closer to $43,000—though we should note this is an estimate based on peer institutions, not actual outcomes from Salish Kootenai College graduates. The estimated $22,600 in debt yields a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio, significantly better than many bachelor's programs. However, the wide gap between Montana's reported figures and national estimates should make parents cautious about which benchmark to trust for planning purposes.

The practical challenge here is uncertainty: we don't know if Salish Kootenai's program connects students to higher-paying federal or tribal forestry positions that might justify the national estimate, or if graduates face Montana's more modest local market. With 58% of students receiving Pell grants, many families are already operating on tight margins where a $12,000 swing in first-year earnings fundamentally changes the financial equation.

Given this limited data, parents should directly ask the college about actual graduate outcomes—where recent alumni are working and what they're earning—before committing. The debt level itself isn't alarming, but without knowing whether graduates are seeing $31,000 or $43,000, you can't properly assess whether this program delivers value for your family's situation.

Where Salish Kootenai College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all forestry bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Montana

Forestry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Montana (2 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Salish Kootenai CollegePablo	$4,311	$43,029*	—	$22,607*	—
The University of MontanaMissoula	$8,152	$31,138*	$45,530	—*	—
National Median	—	$43,029*	—	$22,607*	0.53

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with forestry graduates

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Conservation Scientists

Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Range Managers

Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Park Naturalists

Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Foresters

Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Forest and Conservation Workers

Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.

$43,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Forest and Conservation Technicians

Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Salish Kootenai College, approximately 58% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 29 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.