Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at SUNY College at Potsdam

In New York's geoscience programs, outcomes vary dramatically—from SUNY New Paltz graduates earning over $40,000 to SUNY Geneseo's $27,395. Based on comparable programs across the state, Potsdam's geology bachelor's likely lands near the middle of this range, with first-year earnings around $38,000 and debt just under $24,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 suggests manageable repayment, though it's worth noting that some peer programs report significantly higher starting salaries.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With nearly 500 programs nationally and 41 in New York alone, geoscience outcomes depend heavily on factors these estimates can't capture: whether graduates pursue geology, environmental consulting, teaching, or other paths, and whether they stay in New York or relocate to higher-paying markets. The state figures used here represent a median across diverse institutions, and Potsdam's specific career services, alumni networks, and regional employer relationships could shift outcomes in either direction.

For a family considering this program, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable affordability but limited upside compared to stronger performers in the SUNY system. Before committing, push Potsdam's career services for placement data: where do their geology graduates actually work, and what do they earn? That concrete information matters more than statewide estimates when you're making a $24,000 investment.