SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at a Glance
The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is a public research university in Syracuse, New York, United States focused on the environment and natural resources. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. ESF is immediately adjacent to Syracuse University, within which it was founded, and with which it maintains a special relationship - students take classes at other SU colleges, graduate together, share common student life, and until …
1911
115 years old
2,227
1,860 undergrad · 367 grad
125
25,000 acres
Identity
Is SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Worth It?
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry offers moderate value at $18,952/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,763, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Median student debt of $11,000 is manageable at just 20% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #17 of 68 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #2 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #6 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 71 | $6,817 | $50,669 |
| #17 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | 50 | $18,952 | $55,763 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
The highest-earning program at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is Engineering, General at $53,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Zoology/Animal Biology at $20,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Engineering, General graduate from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry earns $53,300, while a Zoology/Animal Biology graduate earns $20,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Engineering, General graduates carry $21,500 in median debt vs. $19,406 for Zoology/Animal Biology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,952/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General | $53,300 | $53,300 | $21,500 |
| Landscape Architecture | $41,700 | $41,700 | $26,500 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $35,500 | $35,500 | $17,750 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $28,500 | $28,500 | $18,725 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $22,800 | $22,800 | $19,000 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $20,500 | $20,500 | $19,406 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Syracuse, NY
- Student Body
- 1,839 students
- Admission Rate
- 63%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,952
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,763
- Median Student Debt
- $11,000