Russell Sage College vs Elmira College: which has better ROI?
Russell Sage College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,668 in 9.2 years versus 9.7 years at Elmira College, on median earnings of $58,316 vs $57,550 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Russell Sage College | Elmira College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,917 | $22,386 |
| Total net cost | $91,668 | $89,544 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,316 | $57,550 |
| Median debt | $22,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 9.2 yrs | 9.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $107,452 | $94,256 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Russell Sage College or Elmira College?
Elmira College, at $22,386 a year after aid versus $22,917 — a gap of $531 a year, or $2,124 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Russell Sage College or Elmira College graduates earn more?
Russell Sage College graduates report a median $58,316 ten years after entry, $766 more than the $57,550 at Elmira 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, Russell Sage College or Elmira College?
Russell Sage College: its completers carry a median $22,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Elmira College, a difference of $5,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Elmira College, against 56% at Russell Sage 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.