Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at College of Staten Island CUNY

Similar geosciences programs across New York suggest first-year earnings around $37,768 for this bachelor's degree—landing right at the state median but trailing the national figure of nearly $40,000. With an estimated $23,763 in debt, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 is manageable by any standard, meaning graduates could reasonably tackle repayment within a few years. However, these figures come from peer programs at comparable CUNY schools, not from College of Staten Island's actual graduate outcomes, which remain unpublished due to small sample sizes.

The earnings estimate sits below what nearby SUNY campuses report for their geosciences graduates—Buffalo's program produces first-year earnings of nearly $40,000, and New Paltz breaks $40,500. That gap matters when you're starting a career in a field where entry-level positions in environmental consulting or government work don't always pay generously. The high percentage of Pell grant recipients (49%) suggests many students here are counting on solid financial returns, and while the debt burden appears reasonable, the earnings picture based on comparable programs isn't particularly strong.

The fundamental challenge is that you're making a decision with borrowed data. If your child is committed to geosciences and values CUNY's affordability, this could work—but recognize you're betting on outcomes that mirror other programs rather than this school's track record. If possible, ask the department directly about where recent graduates have landed jobs and at what salaries.