Program Analysis
Graduates earn $40,219/yr, roughly in line with the $42,702 national median for Forestry. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Forestry programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Forestry's typical career paths, with 34% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $40,219 far exceeding the $19,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #8 of 29 Forestry programs, Mississippi State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $65,848 show a 64% jump from the $40,219 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.