Cornell University vs SUNY Maritime College: which has better ROI?
SUNY Maritime College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,468 in 1.9 years versus 2.1 years at Cornell University, on median earnings of $95,951 vs $104,043 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cornell University | SUNY Maritime College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,690 | $22,367 |
| Total net cost | $114,760 | $89,468 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $104,043 | $95,951 |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 1.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $998,900 | $862,352 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cornell University or SUNY Maritime College?
SUNY Maritime College, at $22,367 a year after aid versus $28,690 — a gap of $6,323 a year, or $25,292 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 SUNY Maritime College graduates earn more?
Cornell University graduates report a median $104,043 ten years after entry, $8,092 more than the $95,951 at SUNY Maritime 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 SUNY Maritime College?
Cornell University: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at SUNY Maritime College, a difference of $9,250. 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 64% at SUNY Maritime 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.