Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at SUNY at Fredonia

For a geology bachelor's degree from SUNY Fredonia, the key question is whether first-year earnings around $37,800—based on what similar New York geology programs produce—justify borrowing roughly $24,000. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 is reasonable, sitting below the concerning threshold of 1.0, which means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans within a year if they dedicated all income to it. However, that $37,800 starting figure trails the national median for geology programs by about $2,000 and mirrors the typical outcome for New York State geology degrees more broadly.

The real challenge here is uncertainty. With data suppressed due to small graduate cohorts, we're working from peer program estimates rather than Fredonia's actual track record. Comparable New York programs show a wide earnings spread—University at Buffalo and SUNY New Paltz graduates earn over $40,000 while Geneseo's average just $27,400. Where Fredonia falls in that range remains unclear. The debt estimate of $23,763 is manageable if those earnings materialize, but geology careers can be geography-dependent, and starting in Fredonia—a small town far from major energy or environmental consulting hubs—might limit immediate opportunities.

If your child is committed to geosciences and needs an affordable SUNY option, Fredonia could work, but probe deeply into internship placement and where recent graduates actually land jobs. The estimated numbers suggest viability, not certainty.