Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at CUNY City College

Comparable geosciences programs in New York produce first-year earnings around $37,800, which falls slightly below the national median of $39,700 for this field. For a City College student—60% of whom receive Pell grants—this estimated outcome sits in the middle of what similar New York programs typically deliver. The debt load, estimated at roughly $23,800 based on peer institutions, translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63, meaning graduates would owe about 7-8 months of their first-year salary.

What's harder to predict is City College's specific track record, since the graduate sample here is too small for DOE reporting. This could mean the program is small and selective, or simply newer. Either way, you're working without the clarity that comes from knowing actual outcomes. The broader New York geosciences landscape shows considerable variation—Buffalo and New Paltz graduates start above $39,000, while Geneseo's sit below $28,000, suggesting that institution-specific factors matter significantly in this field.

The practical question: is this a reasonable bet for a first-generation college student at an affordable CUNY campus? The estimated numbers suggest it could be, but you're essentially relying on peer program patterns rather than this school's proven results. If your child has backup options with reported data—especially SUNY schools showing stronger outcomes—those would offer more certainty about what to expect after graduation.