Cornell University— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$104,043
in 2021+48% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings grew 48% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
- •Net price increased 21% since 2010 — costs are rising faster than inflation
- •Graduation rate improved by 6 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 90% | $13,700 |
| 1999 | — | — | 91% | $14,018 |
| 2000 | — | — | 91% | $14,246 |
| 2001 | — | — | 90% | $13,750 |
| 2002 | — | — | 89% | $12,962 |
| 2003 | — | — | 88% | $12,632 |
| 2004 | — | — | 92% | $12,750 |
| 2005 | — | — | 92% | $12,750 |
| 2006 | — | — | 93% | $12,494 |
| 2007 | — | — | 92% | $11,750 |
| 2008 | $70,300 | — | 92% | $11,750 |
| 2009 | — | — | 93% | $11,625 |
| 2010 | $70,100 | $23,617 | 92% | $10,216 |
| 2011 | — | $23,478 | 93% | $9,571 |
| 2012 | $70,900 | $25,243 | 93% | $10,000 |
| 2013 | $72,100 | $24,073 | 93% | $11,000 |
| 2014 | $73,600 | $26,484 | 93% | $11,000 |
| 2015 | $77,200 | $29,240 | 93% | $10,912 |
| 2016 | — | $29,711 | 93% | $11,517 |
| 2017 | — | $30,498 | 94% | $12,305 |
| 2018 | — | $31,230 | 93% | $13,000 |
| 2019 | — | $30,494 | 95% | $13,500 |
| 2020 | — | $40,126 | 95% | $13,108 |
| 2021 | $104,043 | $37,042 | 95% | $13,000 |
| 2022 | — | $29,011 | 94% | — |
| 2023 | — | $29,651 | 95% | — |
| 2024 | — | $32,337 | 95% | — |
| 2025 | — | $28,690 | 95% | — |