Forestryat University of Kentucky
Graduates earn $32,573/yr in their first year — about 24.0% below the national Forestry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $552K; scenarios range from $515K to $557K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Kentucky
While the career paths in forestry are incredibly rewarding for those passionate about the outdoors, the financial picture reflects a field dominated by public sector and non-profit work. Many of your early-career opportunities will be with state agencies or the U.S. Forest Service, particularly in the nearby Daniel Boone National Forest. These roles offer stability and purpose but are known for modest starting salaries dictated by government pay scales, not corporate budgets. The program provides a strong, traditional foundation, but it may not have the deep recruiting pipelines into the more lucrative private timber and land management industries found in other regions like the Pacific Northwest.
To maximize your potential, you must aggressively pursue internships with private companies like Weyerhaeuser or consulting firms, even if it means relocating for a summer to build connections outside the regional public sector.
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 University of Kentucky'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 University of Kentucky stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Kentucky
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Kentucky, 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 University of Kentucky
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Forestry at University of Kentucky?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Forestry. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Can you still earn well with Forestry from University of Kentucky?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.