Forestry at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Wisconsin parents considering UW-Stevens Point's forestry program should know that while first-year earnings start below the national average at $41,177, graduates carry relatively low debt loads. At $24,893, this debt burden sits in the 18th percentile nationally—meaning 82% of forestry programs leave students with more debt. The 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio represents solid ground: graduates can expect to earn their total debt back in just over seven months of work.

The state context matters here. Among Wisconsin's three forestry programs, Stevens Point ranks at the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning it outperforms the state median. While the program lands at just the 37th percentile nationally, forestry salaries vary significantly by region and employer type, and Wisconsin's forest products industry provides steady if not spectacular opportunities. The 23% earnings growth to $50,461 by year four shows graduates gain traction in their careers, moving toward the national median.

For families comfortable with outdoor, resource management work and realistic salary expectations, this represents a fiscally responsible path. The manageable debt and accessible admission standards (90% acceptance rate) make this particularly viable for students passionate about forestry who want to avoid the crushing debt loads common in other majors. Just understand your child is choosing a calling with limited earnings upside rather than a lucrative career path.