At $25,857/yr net price, Colby-Sawyer College graduates earn $46,474/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,474/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,857 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $103,428 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,474/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,474/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,570/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,323/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,084/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,562/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,198/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
61.6% of students at Colby-Sawyer College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Colby-Sawyer College offers mixed financial returns that depend heavily on your choice of major. The nursing program delivers strong ROI with graduates earning $65,796 annually, making it one of the few clear winners at this New Hampshire liberal arts college.
Your major choice matters more here than at most schools. Business administration graduates earn $47,260, which provides reasonable returns on the $25,857 annual net price. However, communication and media studies majors earn just $37,568, while allied health programs yield only $36,134. These lower-earning majors create questionable value propositions given the debt load.
The 61% graduation rate poses a significant financial risk. Nearly 40% of students who start here don't finish, often carrying debt without the degree needed to maximize earnings. The 81% retention rate suggests many students recognize this mismatch early.
Only 23% of students receive need-based aid, indicating limited financial support for lower-income families. This makes Colby-Sawyer primarily viable for middle to upper-middle-class families who can afford the net price without excessive borrowing.
You should consider Colby-Sawyer if you're committed to nursing or business and value the small college environment enough to pay a premium. The school makes less financial sense for liberal arts majors, where larger state universities offer similar programs at lower costs with better job placement networks.
The median $27,000 debt level remains manageable for nursing graduates but becomes problematic for lower-earning majors. Given New Hampshire's limited job market outside of healthcare and finance, graduates often need to relocate for career opportunities, adding another cost consideration to your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colby-Sawyer College worth the cost?
Colby-Sawyer College's ROI is mixed - nursing graduates earn strong salaries around $65,796, but most other programs lead to below-average earnings of $46,474 ten years after graduation. The $25,857 annual net price creates a challenging payback period for non-nursing majors.
What are the best paying majors at Colby-Sawyer College?
Nursing programs at Colby-Sawyer College offer the strongest financial returns, with graduates earning around $65,796 annually. Business majors earn about $47,260, while communication and allied health graduates typically earn in the mid-to-upper $30,000s.
How much student debt do Colby-Sawyer College graduates have?
Colby-Sawyer College graduates leave with a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable for nursing majors but may be challenging for graduates in lower-paying fields. The debt-to-income ratio varies significantly depending on your major choice.
What is the graduation rate at Colby-Sawyer College?
Colby-Sawyer College has a 61.6% graduation rate, meaning about 4 in 10 students don't finish their degree. This completion risk adds to the financial uncertainty, especially for students in programs with weaker job market outcomes.