Cornell University
Ny · Private · 100% graduation rate
Cornell University is a private university in Ny with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Computer Science (grade A), with median debt of $17K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $17K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $17K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Mathematics | $17K | $78K | $126K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Mechanical Engineering | $17K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $17K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Operations Research | $17K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $19K | $65K | $89K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $19K | $65K | $89K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $19K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $19K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Economics | $19K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $19K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | $19K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $19K | $50K | $68K | B | BUY |
| Psychology | $19K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Agriculture | $19K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $19K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Animal Sciences | $19K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Communication and Media Studies | $19K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $19K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Ny
How Cornell University Compares
Cornell University graduates carry a median debt of $19K across tracked majors, which is $8K less than the private universities average of $27K. Year-1 earnings average $65K, about $8K above peers of the same type. Within Ny, the per-major debt average is $26K, so this school sits $8K below the state median. Its composite ROI score of 78 is 7 points above the private universities baseline (71). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at Cornell University earns a grade of A, with median debt of $17K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
Cornell University has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at Cornell University. For example, Computer Science graduates have median debt of $17K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Computer Science with median year-5 earnings of $147K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).