Construction Management at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

With estimated first-year earnings around $66,500 and debt near $24,000, this Construction Management bachelor's mirrors what similar programs across New York typically produce. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 suggests graduates could reasonably pay down their loans—the debt burden represents roughly four months of first-year salary based on peer program outcomes.

The challenge here is that national Construction Management programs typically launch graduates at $72,700, about $6,000 higher than what New York state programs suggest. Whether that gap reflects regional cost-of-living differences or genuine underperformance matters for career planning. Construction managers in major metro areas often command higher salaries, but if your child plans to work in upstate New York, the lower starting point may be offset by lower housing costs.

ESF's specialized environmental focus could differentiate this program—sustainable construction is a growing field—but without actual graduate outcomes for this specific program, you're making assumptions about its competitive position. The modest debt load provides some cushion if earnings fall short of estimates, but parents should verify whether ESF's unique niche translates into job placement advantages that justify choosing it over programs with stronger reported data.