Cornell University vs Ithaca College: which has better ROI?
Cornell University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,760 in 2.1 years versus 8.9 years at Ithaca College, on median earnings of $104,043 vs $63,548 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cornell University | Ithaca College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,690 | $33,926 |
| Total net cost | $114,760 | $135,704 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $104,043 | $63,548 |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $24,000 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 8.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $998,900 | $168,056 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cornell University or Ithaca College?
Cornell University, at $28,690 a year after aid versus $33,926 — a gap of $5,236 a year, or $20,944 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cornell University or Ithaca College graduates earn more?
Cornell University graduates report a median $104,043 ten years after entry, $40,495 more than the $63,548 at Ithaca College. 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, Cornell University or Ithaca College?
Cornell University: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $24,000 at Ithaca College, a difference of $10,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
95% of students finish at Cornell University, against 76% at Ithaca 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.