At $8,488/yr net price, SUNY Corning Community College graduates earn $38,817/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,817/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,488 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $33,952 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,817/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,817/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,924/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,658/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,028/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,511/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,606/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. | Associate | $56,797 | $21,795 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $29,685 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $28,960 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,246 | $11,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $23,745 | $10,480 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy. | Associate | $18,967 |
The Risk Factor
32.7% of students at SUNY Corning Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
SUNY Corning Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a middling payoff. At $8,488 a year and $12,000 in median debt, the sticker cost stays manageable. But median earnings of $38,817 ten years out and a 32.7% graduation rate mean the return depends heavily on what you study and whether you finish.
Nursing is the clear winner. Its graduates earn nearly $57,000, roughly double what liberal arts graduates make, and that gap is the single most important choice you face here. The higher debt attached to nursing ($21,795) still pencils out given the salary. Computer and information sciences and criminal justice land in the low $30,000s and high $20,000s, which cover your costs but don't build much cushion. Liberal arts and general studies pay the least at $24,246, and that program only makes sense as a transfer step toward a four-year degree, not as an endpoint.
The main risk is finishing. Two out of three students don't graduate, and if you leave with debt and no credential, the math turns against you fast. Your job at this school is to pick a career program, ideally nursing or a technical field, and complete it.
Net price scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $3,924. over $110,000, you pay $13,606. The jump between the $48-75k and $75-110k tiers is steep, so middle-income families see less relief than lower-income ones.
This school fits you if you want an affordable path into nursing, auto repair, or a transfer program and you're committed to finishing. Look elsewhere if you want a terminal liberal arts degree, since those earnings won't justify even this modest cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY Corning Community College worth the money?
With a net price of $8,488 and median earnings of $38,817 after 10 years, SUNY Corning offers reasonable value for a two-year degree. The low cost and $12,000 median debt make it financially accessible, though the 33% graduation rate is concerning.
What are the highest paying programs at SUNY Corning Community College?
Nursing programs at SUNY Corning lead to median earnings of $56,797, making them the clear ROI winners. Computer science graduates earn around $34,000, while liberal arts majors typically earn $24,246.
How much debt do SUNY Corning Community College graduates have?
SUNY Corning graduates have a median debt of $12,000, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with only one-third of students graduating, many may accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Should I choose SUNY Corning Community College over a four-year school?
SUNY Corning makes sense if you're pursuing nursing or need an affordable path to higher education. The low graduation rate suggests many students struggle to finish, so consider your academic preparedness and career goals carefully.