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CIP 03.0502 Natural Resources and Conservation

Forest Sciences and Biology

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

360

2025 · 19 schools

International share

8.9%

32 international students

Bachelor's degrees

192

0.0% international

Master's degrees

115

12.2% international

Overview

Forest Sciences and Biology is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the study of forests, their ecosystems, and the biological processes that occur within them. This discipline combines principles from forestry, ecology, and biology to analyze the complex interactions between trees, plants, animals, and the environment.

Students in this program typically explore topics such as forest management, conservation biology, wildlife habitat, and the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems. They learn about sustainable practices for managing forest resources, including timber production, recreation, and biodiversity conservation. The curriculum often includes fieldwork, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in forest assessment, data collection, and ecological research methods.

Graduates of Forest Sciences and Biology can pursue various career paths, including roles in government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private industry. They may work as forest ecologists, conservation scientists, wildlife biologists, or environmental consultants. Additionally, they can contribute to research that informs policy decisions related to land use, conservation efforts, and climate resilience.

Overall, Forest Sciences and Biology plays a crucial role in addressing pressing environmental challenges, promoting sustainable resource management, and enhancing our understanding of the vital functions that forests provide to the planet and its inhabitants. The field is not only essential for maintaining biodiversity but also for ensuring the health of ecosystems that support human life.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates grew 4% and the international share went from 5.5% to 8.9%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
76.4%
Asian
1.1%
Hispanic
8.6%
Black
0.0%
Other
5.0%
Intl.
8.9%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 19 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#20 University of California-Berkeley California 7 0
#34 University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin 13 3
#49 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Washington 26 2
#52 University of Georgia Georgia 50 10
#55 The Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania 19 0
#55 Purdue University-Main Campus Indiana 19 4
#80 Clemson University South Carolina 8 3
#100 Auburn University Alabama 29 0
#116 Iowa State University Iowa 19 1
#148 University of Kentucky Kentucky 18 0
#169 Colorado State University-Fort Collins Colorado 13 1
#169 Michigan Technological University Michigan 3 0
#208 Mississippi State University Mississippi 42 0
#227 West Virginia University West Virginia 2 1
#262 University of Maine Maine 10 5
#276 Northern Arizona University Arizona 63 2
#288 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Illinois 8 0
LAC #49 The University of the South Tennessee 3 0
— SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry New York 5 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Conservation Scientists 25,950 $37.08 $77,130
Foresters 10,430 $38.06 $79,170
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary 1,520 — $102,450

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2002–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.