Cheapest Geography and Cartography Colleges in New York

Geography and Cartography students in New York face one of the nation's steepest cost divides, with net prices spanning from CUNY Hunter College's $2,446 to private institutions exceeding $40,000. The CUNY system dominates affordability rankings while maintaining solid career outcomes, particularly CUNY Hunter which combines the lowest costs with 61% graduation rates. Binghamton University graduates command the highest salaries at $45,696, nearly double the field average of $25,000. New York's geographic information systems sector offers strong employment prospects, with agencies like the NYC Department of City Planning and environmental consulting firms throughout the Hudson Valley creating steady demand for spatial analysis expertise. The state's TAP grant program helps bridge funding gaps for residents, making public options even more accessible for students pursuing careers in urban planning, environmental management, and digital mapping technologies.

Programs

$2,446 – $41,026

Net Price Range

$27,597

Avg. Program Earnings

64.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

20 Geography and Cartography Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY Hunter College New York, New York	$2,446	$7,382	61.0%	47.9%
2	CUNY Lehman College Bronx, New York	$3,482	$7,410	49.3%	55.3%
3	CUNY City College New York, New York	$3,486	$7,340	54.7%	66.6%
4	College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, New York	$5,115	$7,490	32.8%
5	Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, New York	$9,173	$8,576	57.1%	73.2%
6	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York	$14,229	$8,486	36.0%	86.0%
7	SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, New York	$14,295	$8,712	47.9%	82.7%
8	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, New York	$16,547	$8,881	58.8%	70.2%
9	SUNY College at Geneseo Geneseo, New York	$18,021	$8,966	72.1%	74.9%
10	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481	$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
11	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
12	SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, New York	$18,833	$8,812	70.2%	72.5%
13	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, New York	$19,951	$8,815	68.2%	59.8%
14	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470	$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
15	Binghamton University Vestal, New York	$21,364	$10,363	83.6%	41.8%
16	Long Island University Brookville, New York	$23,901	$41,642	55.4%	92.7%
17	Colgate University Hamilton, New York	$29,107	$67,024	90.5%	12.4%
18	Hofstra University Hempstead, New York	$35,129	$55,450	67.1%	69.3%
19	Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York	$38,182	$67,805	89.1%	18.7%
20	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$41,026	$63,061	81.4%	51.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools so affordable for Geography and Cartography students?

CUNY institutions benefit from substantial state subsidies that keep tuition low, with in-state rates around $7,400 across the system. Combined with federal and state aid, net costs drop dramatically to under $3,500 at schools like Lehman and City College. The TAP grant program provides additional assistance for New York residents, often covering most remaining costs after federal aid.

How do graduation rates compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

CUNY Hunter College achieves a 61% graduation rate despite charging just $2,446 net cost, outperforming several more expensive SUNY schools. Binghamton University leads with 83.6% graduation rates but costs nearly ten times more at $21,364 net price. Several mid-tier SUNY schools like Oneonta and Cortland maintain 70% graduation rates while keeping costs under $20,000.

Is the earning potential worth the cost differences between programs?

Binghamton graduates earn $45,696 annually compared to Hunter College graduates at $19,227, but the cost difference is substantial. SUNY Oneonta and Cortland graduates earn over $32,000 with moderate debt loads around $20,000. Students must weigh whether the $18,000+ additional net cost at higher-priced schools justifies the potential salary premium in their chosen career path.

Does location within New York affect job prospects for Geography graduates?

New York City offers the highest concentration of GIS and planning jobs, benefiting CUNY graduates through proximity and networking opportunities. Upstate programs like Plattsburgh and Potsdam provide access to environmental and natural resource positions but fewer corporate opportunities. Buffalo and Albany offer regional government and consulting roles, while the Hudson Valley supports environmental consulting and land use planning careers.

What acceptance rates should students expect at the most affordable programs?

CUNY schools maintain moderate selectivity with Hunter College accepting 47.86% of applicants and Lehman College accepting 55.31%. SUNY options show higher acceptance rates, with Buffalo State accepting 85.98% and Potsdam accepting 82.68%. Binghamton University, despite higher costs, remains the most selective at 41.75% acceptance, reflecting its academic reputation and strong graduate outcomes.

More Geography and Cartography Rankings

Best Value Geography and Cartography in New York Geography and Cartography Under $20,000 in New York

All Geography and Cartography Programs Best Colleges in New York Best Geography and Cartography in New York

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.