Forestry

Bachelor of Science in Forestry

Overview

College:

College of Natural Resources

Duration:

4 years, 120 credits

Locations:

Moscow

2026-27 full-time tuition and fees (per academic year)

In-state: $9,824
Out-of-state: $29,300
WUE/Invitation to Idaho: $13,538

View full cost of attendance information

Explore scholarships and financial aid

Grow the forests of the future

University of Idaho's Bachelor of Science in forestry prepares you to manage forests for timber, clean water, wildlife, wildfire resilience and people. U of I has taught forestry since 1909, and the degree is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

Your classroom is a working forest. At the University of Idaho Experimental Forest, more than 10,000 acres of research and working land near Moscow provide the setting for hands-on learning. Here, the Student Logging Crew harvests more than 1.5 million board feet of timber each year with modern mechanized equipment. You can also grow seedlings at the Franklin H. Pitkin Forest Nursery, and spend a Semester in the Wild at Taylor Wilderness Research Station in the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness.

Every forestry student builds a shared foundation in forest ecology, silviculture, forest measurements, geomatics, forest operations, policy, economics, soils, fire and watershed science. Then you choose one of four emphases:

General forestry: Build a broad professional forestry education, with advisor-approved electives that fit your career goals.
Forest operations: Learn forest roads, logging systems, timber sale planning, sustainable forest products and the business of forestry, with time on real harvesting equipment.
Forest biology: Go deeper into forest ecosystems, ecology, climate, restoration and conservation, with added biology, chemistry and calculus.
Forest hydrology and watershed management: Study how forests and water connect through hydrology

Graduates work as foresters, silviculturists, timber cruisers and inventory foresters, harvest and logging managers, fire and fuels specialists, hydrologists and watershed specialists, forest health specialists and GIS analysts. Employers include the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Lands, tribal natural resource departments, private timber companies and consulting firms.

This program could be a good fit if you:

Want a career that combines science, fieldwork and natural resource management
Enjoy spending time outdoors and want to learn directly from forests and other natural landscapes
Want to understand how forest ecosystems function and how management decisions affect them
Like collecting and analyzing data and using science to make decisions about natural resources
Are interested in sustainable forest management and balancing ecological, economic and social considerations
Want to specialize in forest operations, forest biology, or forest hydrology and watershed management
Want the flexibility of the general forestry emphasis to learn a broader forestry curriculum
Are interested in careers with forest industries, consulting firms, conservation organizations or agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Idaho Department of Lands

Study outside

Curriculum

The 120-credit Bachelor of Science in forestry combines a common foundation in forest ecology, management, operations, geomatics, policy, economics, soils, fire and watershed science with specialized coursework in one of four emphases. General forestry gives you the flexibility to build a broad forestry education through advisor-approved electives. Forest operations focuses on forest roads, logging systems, sustainable forest products, manufacturing and financial management. Forest biology adds deeper study in biology, chemistry, calculus, ecology, climate, restoration and conservation. Forest hydrology and watershed management emphasizes physical and environmental sciences, hydrology, aquatic ecology, GIS, remote sensing, groundwater and water quality.

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Explore program courses in the University Catalog

Career outcomes

Current job openings

1,873 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HI

Potential careers and mid-career salaries

Foresters
$75,376
Conservation Scientists • Range Managers • Park Naturalists
$76,794
Forest and Conservation Technicians
$54,015
Postsecondary Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers
$87,482
Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
$54,397

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Career Services

* Career data provided by Lightcast.

Clubs and involvement opportunities

Hands-on learning

University of Idaho Experimental Forest provides you the opportunity to participate in field study and innovative research in the areas of forest management, watershed and land utilization.

Field study and undergraduate research opportunities are available through industry partners, the Franklin H. Pitkin Forest Nursery and the Taylor Wilderness Research Station.

Clubs

Society of American Foresters (SAF)
Logger Sports Club
CNR Living, Learning Community (College of Natural Resources residence hall)

Internships

Internships are available to students at Taylor Wilderness Research Station, Rangeland Center and through our industry partners.

Financial aid and scholarships

While paying for college can feel overwhelming, University of Idaho is committed to affordability and clarity about tuition and financial aid. Here are a few key resources to help you understand the cost of your degree and explore available financial support:

Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to accessing federal, state and institutional financial aid.
Estimate your cost of attendance: Use U of I’s Cost Calculator to estimate tuition and other expenses associated with earning your degree.
Discover scholarship opportunities: When you apply to University of Idaho, you’re automatically considered for scholarships. Additional awards are available based on your previous experience, background and anticipated program of study.

If you have any questions about financial aid, scholarships or cost, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors can help you make informed financial decisions and navigate each part of the process. Reach out to our Financial Aid Office for assistance.

Idaho LAUNCH

This degree is approved for Idaho LAUNCH, a grant that supports Idaho students pursuing high-demand careers. Students enrolling under the 2026–27 Academic Catalog may be eligible for up to $4,000 per year / $8,000 total in scholarship funding through the Idaho LAUNCH program.

Learn about eligibility and application deadlines at nextsteps.idaho.gov/launch, or see our full list of approved U of I programs on the in-state scholarships page.

College of Natural Resources scholarships

The College of Natural Resources administers scholarships for students in forestry and related programs, awarded based on academic merit, financial need, program of study and background. You are encouraged to apply each year through the CNR advising office and the U of I Scholarships website.

Paid internship and work opportunities

All forestry students have access to paid internship and work positions through the University of Idaho Experiment Forest, Franklin H. Pitkin Forest Nursery and partnerships with federal agencies and consulting firms. These positions provide income alongside professional experience to strengthen your resume and build lasting industry connections.

Application instructions

Undergraduate applications open each September and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Qualified students are admitted and considered for scholarships and financial aid as applications are received.

Explore admission requirements and apply on our Admissions website.