Ithaca College
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
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
17.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
12%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition cost at Ithaca College is $50,510. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median income of $31,574. Five years after graduation, the median income rises to $46,305, and ten years after graduation, the median income is $63,548. The median debt for graduates is $24,000, and 64.2% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio for graduates is unfavorable in the first year after graduation. The median debt of $24,000 is approximately 76% of the $31,574 median income one year after graduation. However, the debt-to-income ratio improves over time as earnings increase.
It would take approximately 2.5 years for a graduate to earn an amount equal to their median debt, based on the one-year post-graduation income. The break-even timeline would be shorter if the graduate's income increased faster than the median, or if they had less debt.
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
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | $202,040 | $56,952 | 117% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | $202,040 | $49,525 | 44% |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | $202,040 | $50,940 | 58% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $202,040 | $69,520 | 242% |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | $202,040 | $42,620 | -25% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | $202,040 | $0 | N/A |
| Music. | $202,040 | $41,583 | -35% |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | $202,040 | $0 | N/A |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | $202,040 | $72,675 | 273% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | $202,040 | $52,097 | 69% |
| Psychology, General. | $202,040 | $55,104 | 99% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | $202,040 | $32,250 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
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.