Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at State University of New York at New Paltz

SUNY New Paltz's geology program shows promising earnings alongside notably low debt, though the small graduating class means these numbers could shift with more data. Graduates start at $40,524—above both the New York median ($37,768) and national average ($39,678)—while carrying just $18,500 in debt, roughly $5,000 less than typical geology graduates in the state. That 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio means students owe less than half their first year's salary, a comfortable starting point for STEM graduates.

The 23% earnings growth to nearly $50,000 by year four suggests steady career progression, and the program ranks in the 60th percentile among New York geology programs despite New Paltz being a mid-tier SUNY campus. It's notable that this program outperforms higher-profile schools like Columbia ($34,658) and competitive SUNY Geneseo ($27,395) in early earnings. The geology job market often values field skills and regional connections over institutional prestige, which may explain New Paltz's competitive showing.

The catch is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates makes these figures less stable. A few high or low earners can significantly skew the medians. That said, the combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings creates meaningful financial cushion. For a student genuinely interested in geosciences, this program offers solid value within the SUNY system without the debt burden that could limit early career flexibility.