At $23,735/yr net price, Elmira College graduates earn $57,550/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,550/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,735 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $94,940 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,550/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,550/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 64.0% |
| 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 | $19,761/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,167/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,523/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,840/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,670/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,485 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $45,715 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $39,844 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $36,852 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $27,000 |
| Human Services, General. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
64.0% of students at Elmira College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Elmira College gives you a mixed financial return that depends almost entirely on your major. The median graduate earns enough a decade out to service the typical debt load, but that median hides a wide gap between nursing and everything else.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays roughly double what the accounting, criminal justice, business, and psychology programs return. If you graduate from any of those four majors, you carry the same debt as a nursing graduate but earn far less to pay it back, and business and psychology graduates start below what many jobs pay without a degree at all. That is a real risk: the debt is fixed regardless of your field, so a psychology or criminal justice degree here leaves you paying nursing-level loans on a fraction of the income.
The retention and graduation numbers add to the caution. Roughly a quarter of first-year students don't return, and just under two-thirds finish. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you get the debt with none of the earnings payoff.
The net price tiers work in an unusual direction. Families earning under $75k pay less than middle-income families in the $75-110k band, who pay more than $5,000 extra per year. If your family earns over $110k, you pay the most and get the least aid, so the return only makes sense if you're heading into nursing.
Elmira is a good financial fit if you're committed to nursing and will finish the degree. If you're drawn to business, psychology, criminal justice, or accounting, the earnings here don't justify private-college debt, and you should compare a cheaper public option before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elmira College worth the cost?
Elmira College's graduates earn a median of $57,550 after 10 years, which is reasonable given the $23,735 annual net price. However, the 64% graduation rate means over one-third of students don't finish, making the investment risky.
What are the best paying majors at Elmira College?
Nursing programs at Elmira College offer the strongest return, with graduates earning around $60,485. Business majors earn $45,715, while education and criminal justice majors see significantly lower returns at $39,844 and $33,993 respectively.
How much debt do Elmira College graduates have?
Elmira College graduates leave with a median debt of $27,000. Given typical starting salaries, this debt load is manageable for nursing and business majors but may strain graduates in lower-paying fields like education or criminal justice.
Should I choose Elmira College over other schools?
Elmira College accepts 96% of applicants, so admission isn't competitive. The school works best for students committed to nursing or business programs, but the low graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their degrees.