Head-to-head comparison
SUNY at Fredonia vs SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: which has better ROI?
Option A Fredonia, NY
SUNY at Fredonia
- Net price / year
- $15,897
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,247
- Payback
- 10.8 yrs
Option B Syracuse, NY
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Net price / year
- $18,952
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,763
- Payback
- 10.2 yrs
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,808 in 10.2 years versus 10.8 years at SUNY at Fredonia, on median earnings of $55,763 vs $54,247 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | SUNY at Fredonia | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,897 | $18,952 |
| Total net cost | $63,588 | $75,808 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,247 | $55,763 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 10.8 yrs | 10.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $54,152 | $72,252 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, SUNY at Fredonia or SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry?
SUNY at Fredonia, at $15,897 a year after aid versus $18,952 — a gap of $3,055 a year, or $12,220 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do SUNY at Fredonia or SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates earn more?
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates report a median $55,763 ten years after entry, $1,516 more than the $54,247 at SUNY at Fredonia. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, SUNY at Fredonia or SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry?
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $24,250 at SUNY at Fredonia, a difference of $13,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, against 50% at SUNY at Fredonia. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.