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Ithaca College

#517 in US ranking Ithaca, NY
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$71,876
Tuition & fees
$56,094
Avg. aid
$31,029
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
69%
SAT range
1230–1390
ACT range
27–30

Outcomes

Graduation rate
76%
Median salary
$39,943
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Ithaca College?

Ithaca College holds institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation evaluates the college as a whole; it is different from approval or accreditation of a particular professional program.

The School of Business also holds accreditation from AACSB International. Students considering a field that leads to licensure or certification - such as teaching or a health profession - should check the current program's specialized accreditation and the rules of the state where they intend to practice. Institutional accreditation is relevant to federal student-aid eligibility, but it does not by itself guarantee that another college will accept a course in transfer or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license.

What are the admission requirements at Ithaca College?

First-year applicants to Ithaca College generally submit an application, a secondary-school transcript, and recommendations. The college reviews academic preparation rather than operating an open-admission policy. Its reported admissions criteria include the secondary-school record and GPA; class rank may be considered when available.

Ithaca has used a test-optional approach for undergraduate admission, so applicants should check the policy for their intended entry term and program rather than assume an SAT or ACT score is required. In the reported entering cohort, about 22% submitted SAT scores and about 5% submitted ACT scores. Applicants whose schooling was outside the United States or whose primary language is not English should review the college's English-proficiency and credential instructions. Music, theatre, dance, and other selective programs may add an audition, interview, or portfolio.

Recent admissions figures show roughly 12,400 first-year applicants and 8,557 admits, an acceptance rate of about 69%. That institution-wide rate does not describe the odds for every major. Early and regular application options have different deadlines, so applicants should verify the calendar for their entry year.

What are the application fees and waivers at Ithaca College?

The reported undergraduate application fee for Ithaca College is $60. An application fee is separate from any enrollment deposit paid after admission.

Applicants for whom the fee presents a financial hardship should review the fee-waiver options in the application and Ithaca's admissions instructions. A waiver generally needs to be requested as part of the application process, before paying and submitting; applicants should not assume a paid fee can be refunded. Graduate and specialized applications may follow different procedures, so the relevant program's instructions take precedence over the general undergraduate figure.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Ithaca College?

Ithaca College students may pursue Army ROTC or Air Force ROTC through arrangements with a cooperating host institution rather than through an Ithaca-operated unit. Cornell University hosts ROTC programs in Ithaca, so participation can require travel to activities outside the Ithaca College campus.

ROTC is an officer-training path with academic, physical, and scheduling requirements. Scholarships are competitive, and commissioning normally carries a military service obligation; joining a class is not the same as receiving a scholarship or signing a service contract. Students should confirm cross-enrollment eligibility, transportation, course credit, and current branch arrangements with the host ROTC unit and Ithaca College before building ROTC into a degree plan.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Ithaca College?

Ithaca College accepts transfer applications for fall and spring entry and generally considers college credit earned at accredited institutions. Transfer admission and acceptance of individual courses are separate decisions: a student can be admitted without every prior course satisfying a degree requirement.

Applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from all colleges attended and follow any instructions concerning secondary-school records, recommendations, or program-specific materials. Reported credit policies also include consideration of AP, CLEP, DSST/DANTES, and certain ACE-recommended learning, subject to college rules. A course's transferability does not establish that it will count toward a particular major.

Students with substantial prior coursework should request a written evaluation showing how credits apply to the intended degree, especially for sequenced programs. They should also confirm current application deadlines, minimum grade rules, and how much coursework must be completed at Ithaca to graduate.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Ithaca College?

Ithaca College offers international study options that include its London Center as well as other approved programs and shorter experiences. The London Center is a college-operated option; partner and third-party programs may have different academic calendars, costs, and support arrangements.

Students should seek academic approval before enrolling abroad so that courses count as intended toward their major, general education requirements, or electives. For programs involving internships or performances, placement conditions may also matter. Financial aid, housing charges, travel costs, and scholarships can differ by program, so comparing the full program budget - not just tuition - is essential.

Ithaca College Admissions Factors

SAT range
1230–1390
4001600
ACT range
27–30
136
Acceptance rate
69%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
69%
New York
72%
US
78%

12% of admitted students enrolled (1,050 of 8,557)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Ithaca College Admissions

Applicants
Total: 12,400
Admission
Total: 8,557
Enrolled
Total: 1,050
Women
Men

How to Apply to Ithaca College

Regular application deadline

February 1

Application fee

$60

Early Decision

Yes, deadline November 1

Early Action

Yes, deadline December 1

Ithaca College First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 451
Out-of-state: 574
International: 25

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,050
Transfer: 78

Ithaca College Admission Requirements

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

4.6%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

22.2%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Ithaca College Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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