Ithaca College's published cost of attendance is $68,699. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $21,901, middle-income families pay around $28,832, and higher-income families pay approximately $38,785.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $68,699 |
| Tuition and Fees | $53,540 |
| Room and Board | $16,192 |
| Books and Supplies | $850 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$34,773 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $33,926 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $21,901 |
| $30–48k | $23,335 |
| $48–75k | $28,832 |
| $75–110k | $31,846 |
| $110k+ | $38,785 |
Ithaca College's published cost of attendance is $68,699. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $21,901, middle-income families pay around $28,832, and higher-income families pay approximately $38,785. Azimuth ranks Ithaca College #1314 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Ithaca College meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through a combination of need-based grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs, with aid packages typically closing a meaningful portion of the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $53,476; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Ithaca College's median four-year earnings of $60,436, median federal debt of $24,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $271 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Ithaca College earn median 4-year earnings of $60,436, placing Ithaca College in the 45.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,118 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Ithaca College in the 7.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Ithaca College #1068 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Ithaca College's concentration in communication and media fields. Radio, Television, and Digital Communication is the largest program with 148 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $58,804, performing at 1.2x the national benchmark for the field. The Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication program graduates 138 students with median 4-year earnings of $68,029, while Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions and Business Administration round out the top programs with 126 and 123 graduates respectively. These programs collectively anchor the institution's outcomes in creative and professional fields where Ithaca College maintains consistent employer relationships and alumni network presence.
