Ithaca, NY · Private University
Is Ithaca College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$63,548
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$50,510
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$50,510
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$202,040
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.26x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
74.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$32,965
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Ithaca College graduates earn $18,548 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Ithaca College ranked by graduate earnings
20 graduates
136 graduates
179 graduates
52 graduates
37 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Ithaca College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Ithaca College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $115,841) and the lowest (Political Science and Government: $28,846) is $86,995/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $115,841 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $69,520 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $64,294 | 1.3x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $56,952 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $55,104 | 1.1x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $52,759 | 1.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $52,097 | 1.0x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $50,940 | 1.0x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $49,525 | 1.0x |
| Journalism | $47,376 | 0.9x |
| Public Health | $44,702 | 0.9x |
| Sociology | $44,543 | 0.9x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $42,620 | 0.8x |
| Music | $41,583 | 0.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $39,378 | 0.8x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $38,424 | 0.8x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $32,250 | 0.6x |
| Political Science and GovernmentLowest(1yr data) | $28,846 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Ithaca College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $63,548 10 years after starting — $18,548 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.