by our College Data Analytics TeamForest Sciences & Biology was the 635th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 406 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 17 over the prior year, a growth of 4.2%.
This year's Best Forest Sciences & Biology Schools ranking compares 16 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of forest sciences and biology programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in forest sciences and biology is talking to others to convey information effectively. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most forest sciences and biology degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic forest sciences and biology program qualifications, to serve in some forest sciences and biology careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of forest sciences and biology degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in forest sciences and biology to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common forest sciences and biology degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to forest sciences and biology, with approximately 50.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for forest sciences and biology workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 44.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 29.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 13.6% |
| Some College Courses | 4.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3.4% |
About 88.4% of workers in careers related to forest sciences and biology obtain at least bachelor's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in forest sciences and biology have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which forest sciences and biology career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your forest sciences and biology degree? Forest Sciences & Biology careers are expected to grow 5.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to forest sciences and biology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientists | 23,700 | 6.3% |
| Foresters | 12,900 | 4.9% |
| Forestry & Conservation Science Professors | 2,300 | 4.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for forest sciences and biology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for forest sciences and biology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers forest sciences and biology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Forestry & Conservation Science Professors | $92,550 |
| Conservation Scientists | $65,320 |
| Foresters | $63,150 |
With over 44 different forest sciences and biology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased forest sciences and biology school rankings to help you with this.
One of 7 majors within the Forestry area of study, Forest Sciences & Biology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Forestry, General | 878 |
| Forest Technology/Technician | 327 |
| Forest Management/Forest Resources Management | 293 |
| Forestry, Other | 130 |
| Wood Science & Wood Products/Pulp & Paper Technology | 95 |
Image Credit: By Bureau of Land Management under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
