Analysis
Something seems off here—Southern University Law Center doesn't appear to be the type of institution that would offer a forestry bachelor's degree. This looks like a data quirk worth noting upfront, as you're likely looking at either a misclassified program or an administrative reporting issue rather than an actual forestry program operating out of a law school.
Setting that aside, peer forestry programs nationally suggest roughly $43,000 in first-year earnings against $22,600 in debt—a 0.53 ratio that's fairly manageable by most standards. Louisiana Tech's actual forestry graduates earn slightly more at $44,120, which aligns closely with these estimates. For a field-based natural resources career, these numbers represent steady if modest outcomes: you're looking at debt that could reasonably be paid down within a few years of graduation, assuming steady employment in forest management, conservation, or related industries.
The real concern isn't the financial picture—it's confirming this program actually exists as described. Before making any enrollment decisions, verify directly with Southern University Law Center that they operate a bachelor's forestry program with adequate lab facilities, field research opportunities, and industry connections. If this is indeed an active program, the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio suggests reasonable value. If it's a data error, you'll want to identify the actual institution offering the forestry training your child is considering.
Where Southern University Law Center Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all forestry bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana
Forestry bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (4 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $43,029* | — | $22,607* | — | |
| $10,125 | $44,120* | — | $24,250* | 0.55 | |
| National Median | — | $43,029* | — | $22,607* | 0.53 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with forestry graduates
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Conservation Scientists
Range Managers
Park Naturalists
Foresters
Forest and Conservation Workers
Forest and Conservation Technicians
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 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). 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.