Forestryat North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Graduates earn $61,142/yr in their first year — about 43.0% above the national Forestry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $602K; scenarios range from $557K to $610K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at NC State
Your strong earnings potential isn't just about the degree; it's about location and reputation. NC State, as a land-grant university, has deep roots in managing North Carolina's vast natural resources. This means the curriculum is tightly aligned with the needs of major regional employers, from private timber and paper companies in the coastal plain to state and federal agencies headquartered right there in the Research Triangle. You’re not just studying theory; you’re being trained for a specific, robust job market.
The program's long-standing reputation creates a direct recruiting pipeline into organizations like the US Forest Service, the NC Forest Service, and major conservation groups. You'll find that your degree opens doors because managers know and trust the quality of an NC State education. To maximize this advantage, aggressively pursue internships with these state and federal agencies during your summers—it's the single best way to convert your degree into a strong career start.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to NC State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Forestry
How NC State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at NC State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at NC State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Forestry offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Forestry trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Forestry at NC State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Forestry at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
A score of 60/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Forestry field.
What makes North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Forestry program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 29 programs nationally, North Carolina State University at Raleigh lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.