Head-to-head comparison
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry vs Elmira College: which has better ROI?
Option A Syracuse, NY
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Net price / year
- $18,952
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,763
- Payback
- 10.2 yrs
Option B Elmira, NY
Elmira College
- Net price / year
- $22,386
- Earnings, 10 years
- $57,550
- Payback
- 9.7 yrs
Elmira College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,544 in 9.7 years versus 10.2 years at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, on median earnings of $57,550 vs $55,763 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Elmira College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,952 | $22,386 |
| Total net cost | $75,808 | $89,544 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,763 | $57,550 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 10.2 yrs | 9.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $72,252 | $94,256 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry or Elmira College?
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, at $18,952 a year after aid versus $22,386 — a gap of $3,434 a year, or $13,736 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry or Elmira College graduates earn more?
Elmira College graduates report a median $57,550 ten years after entry, $1,787 more than the $55,763 at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry or Elmira College?
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Elmira College, a difference of $16,000. 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 65% at Elmira College. 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.