Best Master's Degree Programs at Cornell University by ROI
Every Master's Degree major at Cornell University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
17
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$967,109
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$83,196
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$2,347,508 | $167,695 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Computer Science.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$2,106,668 | $155,653 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$1,515,248 | $126,082 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Operations Research.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$1,485,408 | $124,590 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$1,184,668 | $109,553 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Systems Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$1,146,768 | $107,658 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Human Resources Management and Services.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$1,127,468 | $106,693 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Mechanical Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$831,008 | $91,870 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Chemical Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$725,808 | $86,610 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Health and Medical Administrative Services.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$708,128 | $85,726 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Medicine.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$627,028 | $81,671 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Civil Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$624,108 | $81,525 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Biomedical/Medical Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$620,428 | $81,341 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Hospitality Administration/Management.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$539,268 | $77,283 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Public Administration.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$355,028 | $68,071 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Architecture.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$251,888 | $62,914 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning.
Grad rate: 95.2% |
+$244,428 | $62,541 | $83,196 | $0 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.