Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $43,842 track close to the $42,702 national median for Forestry programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.8x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 8% gap from the optimistic case.
At $19,500 in median debt against $43,842 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #14 of 29 Forestry programs, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $43,842 to $63,496 over five years — a 45% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.