At $34,581/yr net price, Skidmore College graduates earn $69,363/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $35,363/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $34,581 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $138,324 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $69,363/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$35,363/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 81.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,906/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,994/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,308/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,470/yr |
| $110,001+ | $46,513/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $50,270 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $46,087 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $43,575 | $20,657 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $41,193 | |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $36,848 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $36,668 | $17,750 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $34,704 | $18,500 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $32,653 | $9,200 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $32,563 | $23,550 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $29,685 |
The Risk Factor
81.7% of students at Skidmore College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Skidmore College gives you a solid financial outcome with low borrowing risk. Median debt sits at $19,500 against median earnings of $69,363 ten years out, so you leave with roughly a quarter of a year's pay in loans. The 81.7% graduation rate and 88.85% retention rate mean you have a strong chance of actually finishing, which is where most degree-related financial damage happens when it goes wrong.
The program earnings tell a more mixed story than the school-wide median suggests. Computer and Information Sciences leads at $50,270, followed by Economics at $46,087 and Business at $43,575. Those are decent but not high starting figures for a private college charging what Skidmore charges. Chemistry graduates start lowest of the listed programs at $36,848, which is a weak early return if you stop at a bachelor's and don't head to a graduate or professional path where chemistry usually pays off later. Skidmore is a liberal arts college, and the listed programs skew toward fields where early earnings run modest.
The net price tiers are the sharpest divide here. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $20,906, and the $30-48k band actually pays less at $15,994. Cross into the $75-110k range and your price jumps to $25,470. above $110k you pay $46,513, near the full sticker. That top-tier price against $69,363 median earnings makes the math tight if you pay it in full.
Skidmore fits you well if you qualify for the lower income tiers and target economics, business, or computer science. If your family lands in the top bracket and you plan on a lower-earning major, look hard at whether the near-full price pays back, or find a school that discounts more for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skidmore College worth the high tuition cost?
Skidmore's $34,581 annual net price is steep for the $69,363 median salary graduates earn 10 years later. Computer science majors do better at $50,270, but liberal arts graduates often struggle to justify the cost with lower starting salaries.
What programs at Skidmore College have the best return on investment?
Computer science offers the strongest ROI at Skidmore with $50,270 median earnings, followed by economics at $46,087. Chemistry majors earn just $36,848, making it harder to pay off the investment in a reasonable timeframe.
How much debt do Skidmore College graduates typically have?
Skidmore graduates carry a median debt of $19,500, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, this debt load becomes problematic for graduates in lower-paying fields like chemistry or international relations.
Does Skidmore College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
With a net price of $34,581 after aid, Skidmore still costs significantly more than most public options. The 81.7% graduation rate helps, but many students find better value elsewhere unless they're pursuing computer science or economics.