Analysis
At $22,346 in estimated debt, this program compares favorably to the typical $24,250 burden seen nationally for Biological and Physical Sciences bachelor's degrees. Combined with estimated first-year earnings around $36,362—based on three similar New York programs—the debt load represents roughly seven months of gross income, a manageable starting point. The institution serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (37%), suggesting that financial aid may further reduce actual borrowing for many families.
The challenge is that these figures tell us what peer programs produce, not what Fredonia's specific graduates actually earn or owe. The small sample size that led to data suppression means we're working with educated guesses rather than track records. What we do know is that the $36,362 earnings estimate aligns with New York's state median for this field and sits above the national figure of $34,380, suggesting the regional job market supports reasonable entry-level outcomes.
For families considering this program, the estimated numbers suggest a workable financial equation—but emphasis on *estimated*. Before committing, push the school for more concrete information: employment rates in the field, graduate school placement, or anecdotal outcomes from recent cohorts. The debt-to-earnings picture looks sensible enough to warrant deeper investigation, but you're entitled to more than borrowed statistics when making a decision this consequential.
Where SUNY at Fredonia Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biological and physical sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Biological and Physical Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (17 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,771 | $36,362* | — | $22,346* | — | |
| $63,612 | $39,296* | — | $27,000* | 0.69 | |
| $7,382 | $36,362* | $60,863 | $10,348* | 0.28 | |
| $61,992 | $29,958* | $58,912 | $24,250* | 0.81 | |
| National Median | — | $34,380* | — | $24,250* | 0.71 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with biological and physical sciences graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At SUNY at Fredonia, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.