Analysis
Ithaca College's Computer Science program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, landing at the 40th percentile among New York programs—meaning 60% of computer science degrees in the state deliver stronger initial earnings. That first-year salary of $70,239 trails the state median by over $4,000, and the gap is even more pronounced compared to top-tier programs like Cornell ($152,656) or RPI ($104,943). The debt load of $21,000 is reasonable, though still above the state median, resulting in a manageable 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio.
The encouraging sign here is the trajectory: earnings jump 65% by year four to nearly $116,000, suggesting graduates eventually catch up to their peers from stronger programs. However, that small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes it hard to know whether this pattern is reliable or just reflects a few particularly successful alumni. If your child has admission offers from RIT, University of Rochester, or other higher-ranked New York programs, those represent safer bets with more proven track records.
For a family specifically tied to Ithaca for personal reasons or where this is the only acceptance, the program won't derail career prospects—but it's not a standout value in a state with exceptionally strong computer science options at comparable admission selectivity.
Where Ithaca College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Ithaca College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca College | $70,239 | $115,841 | +65% |
| Cornell University | $152,656 | $185,679 | +22% |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | $118,636 | $160,457 | +35% |
| University of Rochester | $99,878 | $136,559 | +37% |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $104,943 | $129,412 | +23% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (46 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ithaca CollegeIthaca | $50,510 | $70,239 | $115,841 | $21,000 | 0.30 |
 Cornell UniversityIthaca | $66,014 | $152,656 | $185,679 | $14,698 | 0.10 |
 Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York | $69,045 | $118,636 | $160,457 | $20,397 | 0.17 |
 Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy | $61,884 | $104,943 | $129,412 | $23,250 | 0.22 |
 University of RochesterRochester | $64,348 | $99,878 | $136,559 | $19,000 | 0.19 |
 Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester | $57,016 | $94,611 | $125,429 | $27,000 | 0.29 |
| National Median | — | $70,950 | — | $23,374 | 0.33 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Information Security Analysts
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Computer Programmers
Web Developers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ithaca College, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 26 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.