Ithaca College vs State University of New York at Plattsburgh: which has better ROI?
State University of New York at Plattsburgh has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $68,624 in 8.5 years versus 8.9 years at Ithaca College, on median earnings of $56,403 vs $63,548 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ithaca College | State University of New York at Plattsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,926 | $17,156 |
| Total net cost | $135,704 | $68,624 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,548 | $56,403 |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $21,196 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $168,056 | $92,236 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Ithaca College or State University of New York at Plattsburgh?
State University of New York at Plattsburgh, at $17,156 a year after aid versus $33,926 — a gap of $16,770 a year, or $67,080 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Ithaca College or State University of New York at Plattsburgh graduates earn more?
Ithaca College graduates report a median $63,548 ten years after entry, $7,145 more than the $56,403 at State University of New York at Plattsburgh. 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, Ithaca College or State University of New York at Plattsburgh?
State University of New York at Plattsburgh: its completers carry a median $21,196 in federal loans versus $24,000 at Ithaca College, a difference of $2,804. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at Ithaca College, against 59% at State University of New York at Plattsburgh. 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.