Ithaca College ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$202,040
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$11,305/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
17.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
12%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The one-year return on investment for Ithaca College graduates is negative. The average graduate earns $31,574 one year after graduation, which is less than the annual tuition cost of $50,510. However, earnings increase over time. Five years after graduation, the average graduate earns $46,305, and ten years after graduation, the average graduate earns $63,548.
The median debt for Ithaca College graduates is $24,000. With a one-year income of $31,574, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.76. The five-year income of $46,305 yields a debt-to-income ratio of approximately 0.52.
The break-even point, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the cost of tuition, is not directly calculable with the provided data. However, the data indicates that graduates are earning more than the median debt within one year of graduation.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$50,510
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$46,305
Graduation Rate
74%
Receive Financial Aid
64%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $76,992 | 316% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $56,952 | 117% |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $50,940 | 58% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $69,520 | 242% |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $42,620 | -25% |
| Music | $52,449 | 73% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $52,097 | 69% |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $0 | N/A |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $52,759 | 76% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $32,250 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $55,104 | 99% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $81,788 | 363% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.