Degree Dividend
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State University of New York at Cortland vs American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service: which has better ROI?

Public, Cortland NY · vs · Private nonprofit, New York NY

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $45,744 in 7.2 years versus 7.5 years at State University of New York at Cortland, on median earnings of $54,695 vs $60,236 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureState University of New York at CortlandAmerican Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service
Net price / yr$22,345$22,872
Total net cost$89,380$45,744
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,236$54,695
Median debt$21,500$21,150
Payback7.5 yrs7.2 yrs
20-year net return$148,140$80,956

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, State University of New York at Cortland or American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service?

State University of New York at Cortland, at $22,345 a year after aid versus $22,872 — a gap of $527 a year, or $43,636 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do State University of New York at Cortland or American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service graduates earn more?

State University of New York at Cortland graduates report a median $60,236 ten years after entry, $5,541 more than the $54,695 at American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. 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, State University of New York at Cortland or American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service?

American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service: its completers carry a median $21,150 in federal loans versus $21,500 at State University of New York at Cortland, a difference of $350. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at State University of New York at Cortland, against 25% at American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. 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.

State University of New York at Cortland vs American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service: frequently asked questions

Is State University of New York at Cortland or American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service a better value?
American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. It clears its $45,744 net cost in about 7.2 years versus 7.5 years at State University of New York at Cortland, on median earnings of $54,695 vs $60,236 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, State University of New York at Cortland or American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service?
State University of New York at Cortland: $22,345/yr net price after aid versus $22,872/yr at American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service — a difference of $527 a year, or about $43,636 over four years.
Do State University of New York at Cortland or American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service graduates earn more?
State University of New York at Cortland graduates earn a median $60,236 ten years after entry, versus $54,695 at American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service — a $5,541 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.