Forestry at University of Idaho

University of Idaho's forestry program offers an unusually strong financial proposition for students pursuing this specialized field. Graduates carry just $18,000 in debt—far below the national median of $22,607 for forestry programs—while earning $47,399 in their first year, about 10% above the national median. That puts this program in the 79th percentile nationally for earnings, an impressive position at an accessible public university with a 79% admission rate.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 means graduates owe less than five months' salary, making this one of the more manageable financial outcomes you'll find in natural resources programs. The earnings stay essentially flat between years one and four, which is typical in forestry where entry-level field positions often pay comparably to mid-career roles in the same track. With only two forestry programs in Idaho, location matters less here than program quality—and UI's positioning in the top fifth nationally suggests their curriculum and industry connections deliver.

For students genuinely interested in forest management and conservation work, this represents a practical path into the field without the debt burden that plagues many specialized degrees. The moderate sample size confirms consistent outcomes, not just a few outliers succeeding.