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Forestry at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $45,817/yr (7% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (34% exposed)

Job Market Medium (18,100 openings/yr)

ROI 9.2x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #10 of 29 Forestry programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Forestry graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$573K	$567K	$527K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.2x	9.2x	8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.9x	3.9x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	45%	38%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	46	44

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$61,912

Out-of-state: $146,776 (3.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$95,160

-54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,663

5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$61,907

35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Forestry graduates start at $45,817/yr — above the $42,702 national average, though not by a wide margin.

A 9.2x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Forestry career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,663 in median debt clears quickly against $45,817 in annual earnings.

A #10 ranking among 29 Forestry programs places Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 35% earnings increase from $45,817 to $61,907 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's 57% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 30,435 students in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →

Top Career Paths

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr

Foresters $70,660/yr

Conservation scientists $67,950/yr

View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Forestry at Other Schools

Other Majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Forestry at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?

At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Forestry programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →