Forestryat University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Graduates earn $43,842/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Forestry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $581K; scenarios range from $539K to $588K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Minnesota
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.
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 Minnesota'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 Minnesota stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Minnesota
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Minnesota, 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 Minnesota
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Forestry at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Forestry. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.