Compare 24 Environmental Studies. programs in New York. Average earnings: $40,886.
With top graduates earning $70,524, Environmental Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $30K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
At the top, Colgate University produces Environmental Studies graduates earning $70,524, well above the $40,886 average. But the story extends beyond elite privates—regional programs like Hobart William Smith Colleges ($60,887) demonstrate that strong outcomes aren't limited to the most prestigious institutions.
Highest program earnings: $70,524
Strong outcomes with 57% acceptance
4.3% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
12.1% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Colgate UniversityPrivate | $70,524 | 29 | $15,000 | Excellent | $59,463 | Challenging |
| #2 | $60,887 | 27 | $27,000 | Good | $61,178 | High | |
| #3 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $58,440 | 89 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Challenging |
| #4 | $53,049 | 45 | $21,196 | Good | $19,010 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $51,556 | 29 | $18,228 | Good | $21,400 | Challenging |
| #6 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $50,863 | 52 | $18,500 | Good | $27,270 | Challenging |
| #7 | $50,197 | 60 | $11,000 | Excellent | $11,551 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $46,181 | 22 | $25,000 | Manageable | $54,289 | High | |
| #9 | Cuny Queens CollegePublic | $42,932 | 32 | $10,298 | Excellent | $17,680 | Challenging |
| #10 | Suny OneontaPublic | $42,721 | 33 | $19,812 | Manageable | $24,845 | High |
| #11 | Barnard CollegePrivate | $42,622 | 24 | $18,000 | Manageable | $65,000 | High |
| #12 | Suny College At PotsdamPublic | $41,786 | 14 | $24,250 | Manageable | $19,000 | High |
| #13 | Ithaca CollegePrivate | $39,378 | 30 | $24,000 | Challenging | $53,476 | High |
| #14 | University Of RochesterPrivate | $38,762 | 18 | $21,000 | Manageable | $30,000 | High |
| #15 | Adelphi UniversityPrivate | $34,704 | 7 | $25,000 | High | $48,005 | High |
| #16 | St Lawrence UniversityPrivate | $33,270 | 19 | $27,000 | High | $44,628 | High |
| #17 | Suny At Purchase CollegePublic | $32,569 | 13 | $21,067 | High | $30,798 | High |
| #18 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | $31,839 | 15 | $11,000 | Manageable | $20,252 | High |
| #19 | Suny BrockportPublic | $31,223 | 22 | $20,000 | High | $16,353 | High |
| #20 | Skidmore CollegePrivate | $29,119 | 31 | $19,500 | High | $60,000 | High |
| #21 | $28,598 | 18 | $22,750 | High | $39,759 | High | |
| #22 | Vassar CollegePrivate | $27,476 | 8 | $18,625 | High | $44,501 | High |
| #23 | Alfred UniversityPrivate | $26,896 | 6 | $26,000 | High | $20,269 | High |
| #24 | Canisius UniversityPrivate | $15,681 | 11 | $24,250 | High | $23,720 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
