Best Online Master’s in Forestry

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If you’re passionate about environmental sustainability and the bioeconomy, then check out the 5 best online master’s in forestry!

Best Online Master’s in Forestry

You might be eager to challenge our existing fossil-based technologies and to study how our energy future can be reimagined with our planet’s sustainability chiefly in mind. If so, the institutions listed below can help you build a skillset and knowledge base to become a leader in the field of environmental preservation, ecology, and sustainability. 

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

What Is an Online Master’s in Forestry?

As populations increase and issues of environmental sustainability and resource conservation become greater factors on our planet, the need for trained, qualified professionals with expertise in natural resource policy and law, forest economics and forest management, and environmental ethics will become more impactful to our communities. A master’s degree in forestry is the next step after a bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field to propel participants to the heights of their environmental conservation and preservation careers. Professionals can pursue employment as foresters, conservation scientists, restoration ecologists, or, in the nonprofit sector, land stewards. 

How Much Can You Earn With an Online Master’s Degree in Forestry?

Potential earnings with a master’s degree in forestry will vary because the extended education opens a variety of occupational opportunities. For example, graduates can focus their career on making impacts as a general forester earning about $61,790 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or can focus on conservation work as a life scientist and bring in a median salary of $78,080. Alternatively, environmental engineers earn an average of $105,320 annually, and conservation scientists make about $90,930 annually. 

What Is Required For an Online Master’s Degree in Forestry?

Obtaining an online master’s degree in forestry starts with a bachelor’s degree in forestry or a related field. Similar disciplines include environmental science, engineering, rangeland management, and agricultural science. Most programs require an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for admission and a minimum of 30 credits to complete the master’s program. While some programs require a thesis for graduation, there are others designed for a non-thesis completion. Note that many advanced degrees and career opportunities in the environmental and forestry field require the physical stamina to walk and hike in nature, to accomplish the hands-on study in the degree program, and to participate in on-site job experiences.

What Are the Best Online Master’s Degrees in Forestry?

OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.

The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University

Quick Facts

  • Total of 45 credit hours required
  • Existing graduate certificate students transfer to program for free 
  • Accelerated Master’s program available 
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

72%

Acceptance Rate

79%

Programs Offered Online

20

Median Debt

$23,393

Programs in Department

4

Popularity at School

6%

100%OSR Score

For a master of natural resources degree, Oregon State University offers an interdisciplinary program for existing professionals. Areas of focus for program participants include forest and climate change, urban forestry, wildlife management and water conflict management and transformation. Students will learn to balance health and environmental interests with the economic impacts of their region.

University of Florida

UF

Quick Facts

  • Total of 30 credits for completion 
  • Non-thesis program
  • Final exam required
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

77%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Programs Offered Online

15

Median Debt

$16,196

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

1%

82%OSR Score

The University of Florida offers a master of geomatics, forest resources, and conservation that caters to the broad field of geospatial science. Students will learn advanced skills in cartographics, software development, GIS analysis and imagery analysis. Elective courses will include urban planning, soil and water sciences, environmental engineering and natural resource study.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NC State

Quick Facts

  • Undergraduate degree in a related field recommended 
  • letter of reference 
  • clear statement of interest for application
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

51%

Programs Offered Online

1

Median Debt

$20,714

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

3%

74%OSR Score

If you’re looking for a master’s of forest biomaterials, North Carolina State University at Raleigh offers a fully online program that features both technical and management skills. Students will learn about building a better bioeconomy from current professionals and developing products with sustainability in tandem with nature. Graduates will learn specialized skills in lean six sigma and process engineering technology transfer. 

University of Idaho

University of Idaho

Quick Facts

  • Total of 30 semester credits required for completion
  • Non-thesis program 
  • In-state and out-of-state tuition are the same
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

75%

Acceptance Rate

73%

Programs Offered Online

7

Median Debt

$24,500

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

4%

74%OSR Score

The master’s of natural resources, from the University of Iowa, integrates and scales ecology management, planning, technology, tools and social policy for a comprehensive systems view of natural resources. This degree program can easily be combined with the certificate of fire ecology, technology and management program.

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Quick Facts

  • Total of 30 credit hours for completion
  • 3.0 GPA on undergraduate degree program for application
  • Non-thesis program
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Acceptance Rate

83%

Programs Offered Online

8

Median Debt

$20,502

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

2%

69%OSR Score

Colorado State University’s masters of natural resources stewardship degree is a fully online program that addresses forestry-related resource management challenges around the world. The combination of both a technical and human-based approach in this program supports the students’ ability to learn complex, fact-based decision making for real-world challenges. 

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.