Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 61.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 61.6%
- Retention Rate
- 80.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $46,474
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 74.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $65,796 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $27,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $45,500 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $37,568 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $36,134 | |
| Public Health. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $33,138 | $26,160 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $32,391 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $31,495 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $28,055 | $26,850 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Social Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $21,964 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $17,470 |
Outcomes Overview
Colby-Sawyer graduates earn a median of $46,474 ten years out, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 58% with typical debt of $27,000. Monthly loan payments of $286 consume about 7.4% of gross income, which falls within manageable ranges but reflects the liberal arts premium. The college's 98.1% employment rate demonstrates strong career services, though earnings lag behind national averages for college graduates. Many alumni enter education, healthcare, business, and nonprofit sectors where starting salaries tend toward the lower end. With 75% of borrowers successfully repaying loans, graduates generally manage their debt burden. However, the combination of moderate earnings and substantial debt creates an average return on investment for most students.