What are the average earnings for Cornell University graduates?

In June 2026, the median earnings for working Cornell University alumni 10 years after first enrollment are $104,043, per the US Department of Education College Scorecard (MD_EARN_WNE_P10). This is 89.4% above the top-300-institution cohort median of $54,940.

What is the typical student debt for Cornell University graduates?

The median cumulative debt at graduation for Cornell University students is $14,000, per the College Scorecard (GRAD_DEBT_MDN, June 2026). This is 22.6% below cohort median ($18,095).

What does Cornell University actually cost after financial aid?

The average annual net price at Cornell University — the cost actually paid after grants and scholarships are applied — is $28,690/yr, per the College Scorecard (NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV, June 2026). This is 113.1% above cohort median ($13,461/yr).

What is Cornell University's GEROI score?

Cornell University's Gera Education ROI Index (GEROI) is 4.2/100 (Below-average ROI). GEROI = (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised 0–100 across the top-300 US colleges by enrollment. A score of 4.2 means Cornell University is in the lower half of the cohort on financial return per dollar of net tuition. See the methodology page for the full formula.

Is Cornell University worth it financially?

Based on College Scorecard data (June 2026): Cornell University has a median 10-yr earnings of $104,043, median debt of $14,000, and net price of $28,690/yr — giving a GEROI of 4.2/100. Whether it's "worth it" depends on your field of study, career goals, and financial situation — GEROI provides the factual financial context, not a personalised recommendation.

GeraMarket / US College ROI / Cornell University

Cornell University: College ROI

Ithaca, NY · 15,995 undergraduates. Median 10-yr earnings: $104,043 · Median debt: $14,000 · Net price: $28,690/yr · GEROI: 4.2/100.

What is the return on investment for Cornell University?

As of June 2026, Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) alumni have a median income of $104,043 ten years after entry — 89.4% above the cohort median of $54,940 — with median debt of $14,000 and a net annual cost of $28,690, per the US Dept of Education College Scorecard (public domain). Gera Education ROI Index: 4.2/100 (Below-average ROI).

Source:US Department of Education — College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution Data)·as of June 2026updated annual (last: 20 June 2026)

Gera Education ROI Index4.2 / 100Cornell University: $104,043 10-yr earnings · $14,000 debt · $28,690/yr net price (June 2026)How this index is calculated

Reference period: June 2026· US Dept of Education — College Scorecard · Public domain · Ithaca, NY

GEROI tier: Below-average ROI (4.2/100)

Based on (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised within the top-300 US institutions by enrollment. See full methodology.

Cornell University — key figures (June 2026)

Cornell University — College Scorecard (June 2026), US Dept of Education, public domain
Measure	Value	Context
Median 10-yr earnings	$104,043	MD_EARN_WNE_P10 (June 2026) — 89.4% above cohort median
Median debt at graduation	$14,000	GRAD_DEBT_MDN (June 2026) — 22.6% below cohort median ($18,095)
Annual net price	$28,690/yr	NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV (June 2026) — 113.1% above cohort median ($13,461/yr)
Undergraduate enrollment	15,995	UGDS — total undergrad enrolled (June 2026)
GEROI score	4.2 / 100	Gera Education ROI Index (Below-average ROI) — normalised within top-300 cohort

Compare Cornell University with other NY institutions

Filter, sort, and rank all institutions in our database by state, GEROI score, earnings, debt, or net price — personalised to your criteria.

Cornell UniversityGEROI 4.2 / 100 · $104,043 median earnings · $28,690 net price

State

Min GEROI score: 0+

Higher = better ROI

Max net price: $50,000/yr

Sort by

#	Institution	GEROI	10-yr earnings	Median debt	Net price	Details
#1	CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew York, NY	29.4/100	$75,971	$11,512	$3,033/yr	View
#2	CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, NY	24.1/100	$63,163	$11,000	$2,984/yr	View
#3	CUNY City CollegeNew York, NY	19.7/100	$66,039	$11,990	$3,776/yr	View
#4	CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York, NY	19.4/100	$56,195	$11,000	$3,203/yr	View
#5	CUNY Queens CollegeQueens, NY	17.2/100	$62,763	$10,298	$4,195/yr	View
#6	Suffolk County Community CollegeSelden, NY	10.8/100	$49,907	$8,250	$5,258/yr	View
#7	CUNY New York City College of TechnologyBrooklyn, NY	10.3/100	$49,365	$10,533	$5,127/yr	View
#8	CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeNew York, NY	9.5/100	$42,306	$7,574	$4,976/yr	View
#9	CUNY LaGuardia Community CollegeLong Island City, NY	7.6/100	$41,653	$7,407	$6,120/yr	View
#10	Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY	4.2/100	$104,043	$14,000	$28,690/yr	View
#11	Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY	4.0/100	$74,502	$18,228	$18,784/yr	View
#12	Binghamton UniversityVestal, NY	3.8/100	$80,596	$18,500	$21,620/yr	View
#13	University at AlbanyAlbany, NY	3.7/100	$67,979	$19,500	$17,167/yr	View
#14	University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY	3.2/100	$70,814	$19,000	$20,995/yr	View
#15	New York UniversityNew York, NY	2.1/100	$82,509	$20,500	$37,050/yr	View
#16	Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY	1.8/100	$76,571	$26,778	$34,906/yr	View
#17	Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY	1.7/100	$79,164	$26,000	$38,793/yr	View

Showing top 25 of 17 matching institutions. Source: US Dept of Education — College Scorecard (June 2026).

GEROI (Gera Education ROI Index) = normalised score 0–100 based on (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ annual net price. Data: College Scorecard June 2026, public domain, no key required.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the average earnings for Cornell University graduates?: In June 2026, the median earnings for working Cornell University alumni 10 years after first enrollment are $104,043, per the US Department of Education College Scorecard (MD_EARN_WNE_P10). This is 89.4% above the top-300-institution cohort median of $54,940.
What is the typical student debt for Cornell University graduates?: The median cumulative debt at graduation for Cornell University students is $14,000, per the College Scorecard (GRAD_DEBT_MDN, June 2026). This is 22.6% below cohort median ($18,095).
What does Cornell University actually cost after financial aid?: The average annual net price at Cornell University — the cost actually paid after grants and scholarships are applied — is $28,690/yr, per the College Scorecard (NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV, June 2026). This is 113.1% above cohort median ($13,461/yr).
What is Cornell University's GEROI score?: Cornell University's Gera Education ROI Index (GEROI) is 4.2/100 (Below-average ROI). GEROI = (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised 0–100 across the top-300 US colleges by enrollment. A score of 4.2 means Cornell University is in the lower half of the cohort on financial return per dollar of net tuition. See the methodology page for the full formula.
Is Cornell University worth it financially?: Based on College Scorecard data (June 2026): Cornell University has a median 10-yr earnings of $104,043, median debt of $14,000, and net price of $28,690/yr — giving a GEROI of 4.2/100. Whether it's "worth it" depends on your field of study, career goals, and financial situation — GEROI provides the factual financial context, not a personalised recommendation.

Other NY institutions (by GEROI)

Contains public sector information published by US Department of Education and licensed under the US Federal Government Open Data (public domain). Source: US Department of Education — College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution Data) (June 2026, published 10 June 2026).