As the Class of 2026 graduates in two months, the question on their minds is what their graduate plans are. While some may be considering entering the workforce, others may even be considering furthering their education at Cornell. But if we all want whatever gives us the best ‘bang for our buck,’ is attaining a Cornell master’s degree a cost-effective decision?
Similar to the undergraduate system, Cornell’s graduate schools provide various fields of study that students can choose from. Despite the many opportunities these programs have, there is no denying that they are expensive. For example, the Johnson Graduate School of Management offers a two-year Master of Business Administration program, but the tuition alone is $86,596 per year. Similarly, the two-year Master of Public Administration program in the Brooks School of Public Policy costs $83,741 per year.
Additionally, getting a master’s at Cornell means living in Ithaca, which has both pros and cons. While the University is surrounded by nature, you are somewhat limited in what you can do. Unlike other schools located in larger cities, Cornell does not have as many opportunities outside its campus. Does the beautiful scenery make it worth $83,741 or $86,596 a year?
I believe that it does. Regardless of the scenery, the programs offer a unique experience that counterbalances the cost.
The MBA curriculum takes an immersive and hands-on learning approach, allowing students to explore their interests. For instance, students interested in the tech-sector of business can further delve into these topics in the Digital Technology Immersion program. Through this opportunity, they are able to work on a project “in a team setting with leading Tech companies to solve real-world business challenges with the help of an industry coach.” Within such settings, students are able to develop key skills that essentially differentiate themselves from other potential candidates at various companies.
To an extent, it also streamlines the process of attaining your career goals. This is because the Career Management Center “personally contacts you to discuss your [long-term plans] before your very first semester.” In other words, advisors work with students one-on-one to ensure that students gain value from the program. Similarly, the MPA program mentors students to “work across disciplines in careers that serve the greater good.”
Irene Gatimi, a second-year MPA student concentrating in international development, chose Cornell over other prestigious programs she was accepted into, including Columbia, John Hopkins and Georgetown. She stated: “Coming from a research background, I wanted a practitioner-like experiential learning because with a lot of the research that I was doing, some of my recommendations weren’t being taken. Or there were things that were disrupting that flow from research, evidence-based findings, to using them in the policy space.”
Moreover, the Brooks MPA program empowers its students through experiential learning. The program offers courses where students “consult with a government or nonprofit client on a pro-bono basis either locally, nationally or internationally.” In addition, Gatimi observed how the idea of “... any person … any study,” was applied at the graduate level, allowing students to explore courses in the School of Industrial Labor Relations and Law School. Through this learning approach, she knew she could develop holistically and “become the best practitioner [she] can be.”
However, this sense of support and opportunities of growth are not unique to the MBA and MPA. Each one of Cornell’s master’s programs prepares students to find success beyond the classrooms and into the real world. Students in different fields are provided with the platform to build necessary skills and network with dream companies.
Despite the high price, the investment is worth the cost.
Julia Choi is a freshman in the Brooks School of Public Policy. She can be reached at jc3767@cornell.edu.
