Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 74.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 74.1%
- Retention Rate
- 83.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $63,548
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $24,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 82.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $254/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $72,646 | $70,954 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $71,575 | $21,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $68,666 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $62,707 | $39,024 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $59,417 | $25,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $57,318 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Master | $55,338 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $50,439 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,899 | $24,353 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $44,933 | $26,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $40,956 | $23,125 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $39,153 | $26,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $37,748 | |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies. | Bachelor | $37,208 |
Outcomes Overview
Ithaca graduates earn a median of $63,548 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 38% with typical debt loads of $24,000. Monthly loan payments of $254 consume about 5% of gross income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The college's strong reputation in media and entertainment helps explain why 94.9% of graduates find employment. Alumni like Robert Iger and Kerry Washington demonstrate the school's pipeline into competitive creative industries where networking and hands-on training matter more than starting salaries. Communications and theater graduates often accept lower initial pay for career advancement opportunities. Despite the $67,390 sticker price, Ithaca delivers a strong return on investment.