At $25,079/yr net price, Cornell College graduates earn $53,460/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,460/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,079 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $100,316 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,460/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,460/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,285/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,873/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,174/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,134/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,897/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $24,035 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $23,340 |
The Risk Factor
71.7% of students at Cornell College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 28% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Cornell College gives you a mixed financial picture. The median graduate earns $53,460 ten years out, which comfortably clears the $27,000 median debt load. But the program-level earnings tell a harsher story: the bachelor's degrees with reported data all start well below that median, so the strong overall number is carried by majors not broken out here.
Computer science is the clear winner among listed programs at Cornell, and even it starts under $43,000. Teacher education, psychology, and English all land in the low-to-mid $20,000s as starting earnings while carrying the same $27,000 debt. If you borrow the full median to earn an English or psychology degree here, your debt will exceed your first-year pay. That is a real risk you should size up before enrolling in those tracks.
The specific financial risk at Cornell is the gap between the low starting salaries in its education and humanities programs and a fixed debt load that doesn't shrink for lower-paying majors. A 74% retention rate also means one in four freshmen don't return, and leaving with debt but no degree is the worst outcome here.
The net price tiers work in your favor if your family earns under $48,000, where you pay roughly $18,000 a year. Above $110,000, the price jumps to nearly $31,000. The middle tiers climb steadily, so a family at $75,000-$110,000 pays close to the sticker net price.
Cornell is a good fit for you if you're aiming at computer science or a field that builds on graduate school, and if your family income keeps your net price in the lower tiers. If you plan to teach or major in the humanities and would borrow the full median, look hard at the earnings before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cornell College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Cornell College graduates earn a median of $53,460 ten years after graduation, which is below average for a private college costing $25,079 annually. The return on investment is modest, especially outside of computer science programs.
What are the highest paying majors at Cornell College?
Computer science graduates from Cornell College earn around $42,682, making it the only program with strong earning potential. Education, psychology, and English majors earn significantly less, with starting salaries in the $23,000-$29,000 range.
How much debt do Cornell College students typically graduate with?
Cornell College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, this debt burden may be challenging for graduates in lower-paying fields like education and liberal arts.
Does Cornell College provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
Cornell College's net price of $25,079 represents a discount from the full sticker price, but the school still costs more than many state universities. The 71% graduation rate means nearly 3 in 10 students don't finish, losing their investment entirely.