At $23,027/yr net price, Russell Sage College graduates earn $58,316/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,316/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,027 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $92,108 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,316/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,316/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 65.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,692/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,863/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,393/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,639/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,668/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $132,866 | $44,276 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $99,797 | $43,307 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $65,973 | $129,487 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $64,196 | $72,332 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,810 | $21,960 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $59,124 | $35,864 |
| Nutrition Sciences. | Master | $55,286 | $40,790 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $54,254 | |
| Psychology, Other. | Master | $49,784 | $38,374 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $47,729 | $41,000 |
The Risk Factor
65.7% of students at Russell Sage College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 34% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Russell Sage College gives you a solid but uneven financial return that hinges almost entirely on your major. Median earnings ten years out sit comfortably above the median debt load, and with a debt figure that stays low relative to what you'd owe at many private colleges, most graduates aren't buried. The catch is that the school's payoff clusters around one field.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays the most of any program on the list while carrying the lowest debt, and it plugs directly into a stable regional healthcare market around Troy and the Capital Region. If you're coming for nursing, the math works. Information science is the next-best bet on earnings. After that, the returns drop off fast. Nutrition sciences and biological sciences graduates earn in the low $40,000s or below, and business administration lands at the bottom while still carrying above-average debt. Choosing biology or business here means paying more and earning less than your nursing classmates.
The financial risk is concentration and completion. Two of every three students finish, and about one in four don't return after the first year. If you borrow, start a lower-paying major, and then don't graduate, you're left with debt and no degree to pay it off.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families the most. Under $30k, you pay roughly half of what the highest earners pay. That gap narrows sharply above $48k, and once your family clears $75k, the discount mostly disappears and you're paying close to the full net price.
This school fits you if you're set on nursing or a health field and want manageable debt. If you're aiming for business or a general science degree, run the numbers against a cheaper public option first,the earnings here don't justify the private price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Russell Sage College worth the cost?
Russell Sage College offers mixed value depending on your major. Nursing and educational administration graduates earn strong salaries ($99,797 and $132,866), but other programs may not justify the $23,027 annual cost given the overall median earnings of $58,316.
What majors at Russell Sage College have the best ROI?
Educational administration leads with $132,866 median earnings, followed by nursing programs at nearly $100,000. Rehabilitation and therapy programs show weaker returns at $64,000-$66,000, which may not offset the debt load for many students.
How much debt do Russell Sage College graduates typically have?
The median debt is $22,000, which is manageable for high-earning majors like nursing but concerning for lower-paying programs. With a 65% graduation rate, about one-third of students leave without a degree but may still carry debt.
Does Russell Sage College provide good financial aid?
The net price of $23,027 suggests decent aid for a private college, but this still requires careful consideration. Students should compare this cost against expected earnings in their specific program rather than the school's overall average.