Home Schools Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Forestry
Natural Resources · Forestry Rank #25 of 29

Forestryat Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science

Graduates earn $44,342/yr in their first year — about 4.0% above the national Forestry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $524K; scenarios range from $491K to $526K depending on AI disruption.

Paul Smiths, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
34 AT RISK
35
Optimistic
33
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,342
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.2x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$524K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
36% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science

At $44,342/yr, Forestry graduates from Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science land near the $42,702 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 4.1x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 34% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #25 out of 29 programs, Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's financial outcomes for Forestry trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,342 to $54,245 shows 22% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$491K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score33/100
Earnings Multiple3.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$524K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple4.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$526K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score35/100
Earnings Multiple4.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Forestry graduates typically work

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.

1
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$100,830/yr
Moderate
2
Foresters
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$70,660/yr
Moderate
3
Conservation scientists
+3.4% 10-yr growth · 2,500 openings/yr
$67,950/yr
High
4
First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
+2.5% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$59,330/yr
Low
5
Forest and conservation technicians
-3.2% 10-yr growth · 3,900 openings/yr
$54,310/yr
Moderate
6
Forest and conservation workers
-4.7% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$43,680/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Forestry

How Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
NC · Public
60
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
19.2x
ROI
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
58
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
15.5x
ROI
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
CA · Public
57
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
19.1x
ROI
Auburn University
AL · Public
50
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
11.0x
ROI
University of Idaho
ID · Public
52
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
16.1x
ROI
Also at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science

Other top programs at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Forestry at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science

How does Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's Forestry program score?

This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Forestry. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.