Ithaca College
Ithaca College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Ithaca College at a Glance
Ithaca College is a private college in Ithaca, New York, United States. Founded in 1892 as a music conservatory, the college has a liberal arts focus, and today confers degrees in over 100 majors. In addition to several pre-professional programs, it offers several graduate programs, mainly in business, health sciences, and teaching degrees through the School of Humanities and Sciences.
1892
134 years old
$437M
$437.1 million (2025)
6,266
4,957 undergrad · 414 grad
721
757 acres
Identity
Is Ithaca College Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Ithaca College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,548 — 18% above average — while paying $33,926/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 75% graduation rate means roughly 25% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Ithaca College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Ithaca College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #32 of 59 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Tulsa | 74 | $15,000 | $61,408 |
| #2 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 55 | $22,900 | $65,607 |
| #3 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #4 | University of the Pacific | 53 | $25,447 | $78,445 |
| #5 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
| #6 | Muhlenberg College | 49 | $28,905 | $69,107 |
| #32 | Ithaca College | 35 | $33,926 | $63,548 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Ithaca College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in NY.
Best Programs at Ithaca College
The highest-earning program at Ithaca College is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at $42,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $18,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduate from Ithaca College earns $42,400, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $18,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduates carry $26,953 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $33,926/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,400 | $42,400 | $26,953 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,200 | $42,200 | $23,765 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $38,100 | $38,100 | $21,250 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,900 | $33,900 | $26,000 |
| Journalism | $33,100 | $33,100 | $23,250 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $31,500 | $31,500 | $21,351 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $28,200 | $28,200 | $22,869 |
| Psychology, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $22,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $25,788 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $25,800 | $25,800 | $24,500 |
| Physics | $24,300 | $24,300 | $21,875 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $23,900 | $23,900 | $24,425 |
| Music | $23,700 | $23,700 | $25,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $22,400 | $22,400 | $26,519 |
| Sociology | $21,000 | $21,000 | N/A |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $18,600 | $18,600 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Ithaca, NY
- Student Body
- 4,242 students
- Admission Rate
- 69%
- Graduation Rate
- 75%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $33,926
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,548
- Median Student Debt
- $24,000