Colleges to help become a forest ranger?

Anything environmental. That's a start.

Being a forest ranger requires a knowlege of plants (botany), animals (zoology), geography, climate, geology... anything outdoors. Get a degree in any of those things, with a wide range of electives in the other things, and you'll be pretty well set...

...that, and getting good grades along the way, of course.

Forest rangers come from all different walks of life. Many, many of them are scientists... biologists, mostly. Some of them got into it while doing research for either a university or a private firm; and they decided to stay... put on a green shirt, a badge, hiking boots, a Smoky-the-Bear hat, and become a ranger.

Those jobs are few and far between, though... you should know. Money's tight everywhere. Many ranger jobs have been cut. New ones aren't opening up. As people retire, their jobs aren't necessarily being filled. Be aware of that.

The pay is also not terrific. It's not terrible, but it's not great, either. Be aware of that, too.

Some rangers only work part of the year, too. Yellowstone, for example, is all but closed for the winter... save for snowmobilers. At least if you're a scientist, you might be able to keep working all winter long in some park lab or something.

And bear in mind that everything I've written, so far, pertains to NATIONAL park rangers. If you want to work for the California state park system, things are even worse... at least right now.

Oakland, I saw on the news the other night, has county and city parks, with real ranger-looking rangers... and they're all being laid off. Some of those parks will be closing.

Some California state parks are in danger of that, too.

So, don't not do it if you have the burning desire... but also go into it with your eyes wide open.

As for college degrees specifically for forest rangers... hmmm...

...you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in something like "park management," or "natural history," or "forestry," or "outdoor recreation" or something like that.

This google search should help you narrow that down:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%2Bba+OR+bs+O...

While you're getting the degree, find summer programs in the parks for which you can either volunteer, or make minimum wage. You've definitely got to get some kind of experience working or volunteering for the park service. That's key.

You'll also need to take some first aid and life saving courses... get your Red Cross (or equivalent) certifications therein.

If you're not already the kind of person who likes to hike with a heavy pack on your back deep into the wilderness, and then camp with no creature comforts, then that may already be an indicator that it's not really the life for you. That sort of thing should already be something which you can't stop yourself from doing.

You should also be very, very good at map reading... and orienteering. Find and join and orienteering group and get to the point where you could find anyone or anything, anywhere, almost with a blindfold on.

Park Rangers are nearly always badge-wearing, and in many cases, gun and handcuff toting; and have police powers with original jurisdiction... certainly in any parks in which they work, and sometimes anywhere in any county which happens to have park property in it. That means you'll need some law enforcement training... probably a P.O.S.T. certificate... and a seasonal law enforcement authorization credential of some kind. The park service itself can help you understand that particular requirement. You'll just have to ask them.

Do those things, and you'll be in a fairly good position when you're ready to finally actually apply for a Forest Ranger position.

Hope that helps.

Getting a college degree is one of the best things that you can do. Any properly accredited college or university would be fine. Consider majors such as animal science, biology, communications, criminal justice, geology, wildlife management. Make the most of your time and money in college. Get the highest grade point average that you can, participate in a couple extracurricular activities, get a good internship, do some regular volunteer work, don't do anything illegal, and maintain a good reputation. Getting law enforcement officer jobs is becoming more and more competitive. Do whatever you can to make yourself the best candidate that you can. Some other job titles that might interest you include animal cruelty investigator, dog warden, game warden, humane law enforcement officer, refuge law enforcement officer, and wildlife inspector. Consider local, state, and federal jobs. Best of luck!