Ithaca College: A Comprehensive Look at Job Outcomes and Student Success
Ithaca College, nestled in the Finger Lakes region of New York, provides a blend of rigorous professional education and a foundation in the liberal arts. This combination equips students with a diverse skill set applicable across various fields. The college emphasizes experiential learning, ensuring students gain hands-on experience through case studies, consulting projects, service learning, and immersive fieldwork. This article delves into various aspects of Ithaca College's job outcomes, graduation rates, financial aid, and overall student success, drawing upon available data and reports.
Academic Excellence and Experiential Learning
Ithaca College's educational philosophy is embodied in the phrase "Theory, Practice, Perform," which underscores the importance of applying theoretical knowledge through practical experience. The college offers undergraduate degrees in accounting and business administration, as well as an interdisciplinary major in legal studies. Students are admitted directly to their majors in their first year, ensuring a focused and immersive academic experience.
The School of Business at Ithaca College is accredited by the AACSB and offers undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Finance (with Asset Management, Corporate Finance, and Wealth Management tracks), International Business, Marketing, Management (with Analytics and Strategic Leadership tracks), and Sport Management. All first-year students take World of Business, a foundational course where they work in teams to run a simulated company, introducing them to key business functions.
Students in the Sport Management program have unique opportunities to work at high-profile events such as Super Bowls, the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, NCAA basketball tournaments, and the Cortaca Jug game at MetLife Stadium. The college also provides state-of-the-art business technology, including a Trading Room with real-time NYSE trade quotes, 12 Bloomberg terminals, and student-managed funds valued at nearly $1 million.
Career Development and Alumni Engagement
Ithaca College features a four-year professional development curriculum that goes beyond traditional career workshops. The program begins with workshops such as “Making Success a Habit” and “All-Star Interviewing”, focusing on essential career skills. Ithaca’s alumni engagement plays a significant role in student success. Students connect with alumni through networking events, speaker series, and one-on-one mentorship sessions. Through the Meet the Firms program, students take trips to New York City, visiting top companies and connecting with alumni in the industry.
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The college's commitment to student success is evident in its comprehensive professional development curriculum, which provides students with the tools to apply their skills in real-world learning opportunities and internships. Starting in their first semester, students participate in professional workshops, events, and student organizations. The Professions Program prepares students for high-level, competitive internships.
Graduation and Retention Rates
Ithaca College demonstrates strong overall graduation outcomes, with a graduation rate of 74%, placing it within the top 20% nationally. This high rate reflects the college's effective student support and academic programs. The institution also performs notably well in shorter and longer timeframes. Its four-year graduation rate is 68%, placing it in the top 15%, indicating a majority of students complete their degree within the traditional timeframe. Retention rates further underscore the college's ability to maintain student enrollment, with an 83% retention rate that ranks in the top 30%.
CAATE Accreditation Standards also require all accredited AT programs to record and report retention rates, 4 year graduation rates and post graduation placement outcomes for the most recent 3 year period. The table below represents those data points for the last 3 graduating cohort, 2016 - 2018.
Job Outcomes and Earnings
Graduates of Ithaca College experience a wide range of earning potentials depending on their chosen field of study. Those who pursue degrees in technical and business-related areas tend to have the highest income prospects. For example, graduates in Computer Science earn an average of $70,085 annually, indicating strong demand and compensation in this sector.
According to median earnings data, SUNY school graduates make anywhere from $2,500 to $33,000 more than high school graduates four years after graduation. The disparity is even greater for other colleges and universities, with graduates bringing in $51,000 to over $90,000 more than high school graduates.
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Here's a comparison of median earnings for graduates from various institutions in the Southern Tier area:
- Cornell University: $90,531
- Ithaca College: $51,468
- Tompkins Cortland Community College: $35,926
It is important to note that these figures are median earnings and can vary based on individual career paths and further education.
Additional Earnings Data:
- Arnot Ogden Medical Center: $63,558
- Alfred University: $47,894
- Elmira College: $52,111
- Houghton University: $38,203
- St. Bonaventure University: $54,351
- SUNY Binghamton: $68,503
- SUNY Brockport: $48,294
- SUNY Cortland: $46,003
- SUNY Geneseo: $51,879
Financial Aid and Affordability
Ithaca College provides various forms of financial aid to its students, including grants, scholarships, and loans. The average net price is calculated for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from the federal government, state/local government, or the institution.
The college's financial aid policies aim to make education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. By offering a combination of grants, scholarships, and loans, Ithaca College helps students finance their education and achieve their academic goals.
Athletic Training Program Outcomes
Per the CAATE Accreditation Standards, all accredited AT programs are bound to report official program outcomes pertaining to results on the national Board of Certification examinations. Official BOC exam and placement program outcomes for the 2011 - 2018 academic years are available.
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CAATE Accreditation Standards also require all accredited AT programs to record and report retention rates, 4 year graduation rates and post graduation placement outcomes for the most recent 3 year period. The table below represents those data points for the last 3 graduating cohort, 2016 - 2018.
Continuous Improvement and Curriculum Updates
In the past three years, the business core curriculum has been revised to better align with industry demands, incorporating more interdisciplinary flexibility. Ithaca expanded analytics course offerings, including a new Project Management course. “Capstone project involving implementing new ideas into the Ithaca College campus and surrounding community.
Faculty excellence is a hallmark of Ithaca College. The faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for high-quality research that makes an impact on both theory and practice. Their true passion, however, is engaging with students.
Praxis Exam Data
Three Year Praxis Exam Data Reporting Period# Test Takers# Passed Exam% Passed Exam RateRecent Year (2025)2523921 year prior (2024)231982.62 years prior (2023)262596%This information is updated annually. Last updated January 2026.**NOTE: The Praxis examination reporting period is the testing year or examination cycle, not the year of graduation for the test-takers.
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