At $18,730/yr net price, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates earn $55,763/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,763/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,730 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $74,920 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,763/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,763/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 69.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,211/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,770/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,458/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,248/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,955/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $55,348 | |
| Landscape Architecture. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy. | Bachelor | $36,131 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $31,423 | |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. | Bachelor | $22,880 | |
| Zoology/Animal Biology. | Bachelor | $19,683 |
The Risk Factor
69.9% of students at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
SUNY ESF gives you a modest but low-risk financial return. You leave with median debt of just $11,000, one of the lowest figures you'll find at any four-year school, and that debt is easy to cover against $55,763 in median earnings a decade out. The 85% retention rate and roughly 70% graduation rate mean most people who start here finish, so you're unlikely to pay for credits without a degree to show for it.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. General engineering is the clear winner, paying about $13,000 more than the next program. environment architecture holds up in the low $40,000s. Below that, the numbers turn weak. Natural resources management, conservation, and especially ecology all land under $37,000, and ecology grads report under $23,000 ten years out. If your interest is field ecology or conservation, this school will train you well, but the earnings won't cover much beyond basic living costs even at ESF's low debt levels.
The risk here isn't debt or dropping out. It's picking a low-paying environmental major and assuming a degree from an environmental-focused school guarantees a solid salary. It doesn't. The school's core subject areas are also its lowest earners.
The net price tiers make ESF a strong deal if your family earns under $48,000, where you pay around $8,000 to $11,000 a year. Above $75,000, your price climbs past $20,000, and over $110,000 you pay nearly $24,000. At that price, the engineering and environment architecture tracks still make sense, but the lower-paying majors get harder to justify.
Come here if you want engineering or environment architecture, or if your family income keeps net price low. Look elsewhere if you're targeting a conservation or ecology track at full price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry worth the cost?
With a net price of $18,730 and median earnings of $55,763 ten years after graduation, ESF offers decent value for students who stick to higher-paying programs like engineering. However, graduates in ecology and biology fields earn significantly less, making the investment questionable for those majors.
What are the highest paying majors at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry?
Engineering graduates from ESF earn around $55,348 annually, making it the best ROI program at the school. Landscape architecture follows at $42,682, while ecology and biology majors typically earn just $22,880 to $31,423.
How much debt do SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have?
ESF graduates leave with a median debt of $11,000, which is relatively low compared to most colleges. This manageable debt load helps improve the overall value proposition, especially for students in higher-earning programs.
What is the graduation rate at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry?
ESF has a 69.90% graduation rate, meaning about 3 in 10 students don't finish their degree. This completion risk should factor into your decision, particularly given the specialized nature of many programs at the school.