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State University of New York at Cortland vs St. Francis College: which has better ROI?

Public, Cortland NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Brooklyn NY

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

The verdict

St. Francis College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,516 in 7.4 years versus 7.5 years at State University of New York at Cortland, on median earnings of $58,099 vs $60,236 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureState University of New York at CortlandSt. Francis College
Net price / yr$22,345$18,129
Total net cost$89,380$72,516
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,236$58,099
Median debt$21,500$23,250
Payback7.5 yrs7.4 yrs
20-year net return$148,140$122,264

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 St. Francis College?

St. Francis College, at $18,129 a year after aid versus $22,345 — a gap of $4,216 a year, or $16,864 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 St. Francis College graduates earn more?

State University of New York at Cortland graduates report a median $60,236 ten years after entry, $2,137 more than the $58,099 at St. Francis 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, State University of New York at Cortland or St. Francis College?

State University of New York at Cortland: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at St. Francis College, a difference of $1,750. 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 55% at St. Francis 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.

State University of New York at Cortland vs St. Francis College: frequently asked questions

Is State University of New York at Cortland or St. Francis College a better value?
St. Francis College. It clears its $72,516 net cost in about 7.4 years versus 7.5 years at State University of New York at Cortland, on median earnings of $58,099 vs $60,236 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, State University of New York at Cortland or St. Francis College?
St. Francis College: $18,129/yr net price after aid versus $22,345/yr at State University of New York at Cortland — a difference of $4,216 a year, or about $16,864 over four years.
Do State University of New York at Cortland or St. Francis College graduates earn more?
State University of New York at Cortland graduates earn a median $60,236 ten years after entry, versus $58,099 at St. Francis College — a $2,137 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.