Computer Science at Cornell University

Cornell's Computer Science program stands atop New York's already competitive tech education landscape, with first-year graduates earning $152,656—nearly double the state median and $34,000 more than Columbia grads. This isn't just Ivy League prestige; it's measurable career acceleration backed by robust data from 100+ recent graduates. The debt burden of $14,698 is remarkably low for this outcome, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.10—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with less than six weeks of their first year's salary.

The 22% earnings growth to $185,679 by year four reflects the rapid career progression typical of top tech talent, and the program's 95th percentile ranking both nationally and statewide confirms this isn't a fluke of sample selection. While the 8% admission rate makes this a reach for most applicants, those who get in face minimal financial risk: even students taking on typical federal loan amounts would find repayment straightforward on these salaries.

The real consideration here isn't whether the program delivers value—it clearly does—but whether your student can gain admission to one of the nation's most selective universities. For families who can navigate Cornell's admissions process, this represents one of the safest bets in higher education: elite outcomes with below-average debt and verified earning power that places graduates among the top 5% nationally.