At the No. 1 forestry program in the nation, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to meet human resource needs, take care of our forests and address some of the biggest challenges facing our landscapes, ecosystems and communities. Learn to manage and sustain ecosystems for multiple objectives while balancing the needs of society and the perspectives and practices of diverse stakeholders. Graduates of this interdisciplinary program lead the way in managing healthy forests, producing innovative and sustainable wood products, and specializing in critical areas like restoration, wildfire management, forest health, soil science and landslide mitigation. No matter your focus, you’ll find your path in our 18,000 acres of research forests that serve as your outdoor classroom. 

Our undergraduate degree in forestry (B.S.) is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and abides by the SAF Code of Ethics. To learn more or file a complaint or grievance, please visit our SAF accreditation page.

Forestry students can choose from three degree options: 

Career opportunities:

Recipients of a forestry degree from Oregon State University enter the workforce ready to make an impact — with 84% securing employment at graduation and contributing to fields that shape the future of our forests, communities and planet. Our graduates hold a number of roles, including:

Silviculturist | Arborist | Wildfire Investigation/Prevention Specialist | Forest Ecologist | Conservation Forester | State/District Forester | Layout Forester | Forest Drone Operator | Harvest Manager  | Inventory Forester

Employment of conservation scientists and foresters is projected to grow 5% from 2023 to 2033, with a median salary of $67,330 nationally and $76,190 in Oregon (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Forestry professionals can expect to work on:

• Forest management and planning: Sustainable harvest planning, forest inventory and mapping and reforestation initiatives.
• Wildfire management: Fuel reduction treatments, prescribed burns and post-fire recovery and rehabilitation.
• Conservation and ecology: Wildlife habitat restoration, invasive species control and watershed protection.
• Research and monitoring: Carbon sequestration analysis and forest health monitoring.
• Community and policy work: Urban and rural forestry programs, public education efforts and forest policy or certification development.