Colby-Sawyer College
Colby-Sawyer College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Colby-Sawyer College at a Glance
Colby–Sawyer College is a private college in New London, New Hampshire, United States. It was founded as a coeducational academy in 1837 and sits on a 200-acre (0.81 km2) campus.
1837
189 years old
$76M
$75.7 million (2025)
943
867 undergrad · 76 grad
200 acres
Identity
Is Colby-Sawyer College Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Colby-Sawyer College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,474 — 14% below average — while paying $27,431/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.4-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 60% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 58% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Colby-Sawyer College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Colby-Sawyer College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #94 of 149 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #5 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #6 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #94 | Colby-Sawyer College | 25 | $27,431 | $46,474 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Colby-Sawyer College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NH.
Best Programs at Colby-Sawyer College
The highest-earning program at Colby-Sawyer College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Sociology at $22,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Colby-Sawyer College earns $63,700, while a Sociology graduate earns $22,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Sociology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,431/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,700 | $63,700 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,800 | $43,800 | $27,000 |
| Public Health | $34,100 | $34,100 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $32,500 | $32,500 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $32,100 | $32,100 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $28,500 | $28,500 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,900 | $26,900 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $22,500 | $22,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in NH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- New London, NH
- Student Body
- 771 students
- Admission Rate
- 80%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,431
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,474
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000