Hobart William Smith Colleges
Hobart William Smith Colleges — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Hobart William Smith Colleges at a Glance
Hobart and William Smith Colleges is a private liberal arts college in Geneva, New York. It traces its origins to Geneva Academy established in 1797. Students can choose from over 70 areas of study with degrees in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science in Management, and Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership.
1822
204 years old
$222M
$222.3 million (2024)
1,618
214
170 acres
Identity
Is Hobart William Smith Colleges Worth It?
Hobart William Smith Colleges offers moderate value at $31,563/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $68,831, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 75% graduation rate means roughly 25% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Hobart William Smith Colleges compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #26 of 64 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 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 83 | $18,425 | $82,592 |
| #2 | University of Tulsa | 74 | $15,000 | $61,408 |
| #3 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #4 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #5 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #6 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #26 | Hobart William Smith Colleges | 41 | $31,563 | $68,831 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Hobart William Smith Colleges's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in NY.
Best Programs at Hobart William Smith Colleges
The highest-earning program at Hobart William Smith Colleges is Economics at $55,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $33,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Hobart William Smith Colleges earns $55,500, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $33,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $31,563/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $55,500 | $55,500 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $40,300 | $40,300 | $23,750 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $34,200 | $34,200 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,200 | $33,200 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Geneva, NY
- Student Body
- 1,786 students
- Admission Rate
- 64%
- Graduation Rate
- 75%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $31,563
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $68,831
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000