Forestryat West Virginia University
Graduates earn $43,228/yr in their first year — about 1.0% above the national Forestry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $520K; scenarios range from $488K to $522K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at West Virginia University
At $43,228/yr, Forestry graduates from West Virginia University land near the $42,702 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The 13.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 34% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The median debt load of $20,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #12 out of 29 programs, West Virginia University's Forestry offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $43,228 to $53,335 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary 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 West Virginia University'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 West Virginia University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at West Virginia University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at West Virginia University, 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 West Virginia University
How does West Virginia University's Forestry program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Forestry. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.