Russell Sage College
Russell Sage College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Russell Sage College at a Glance
Russell Sage College is a co-educational college with two campuses located in Albany and Troy, New York, approximately 150 miles (240 km) north of New York City in the Capital District. Russell Sage College offers both undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs. As of 2024, 2,790 students are enrolled, with 1,241 undergraduate students and 1,535 graduate students.
1916
110 years old
$46M
$46 million (2024)
2,790
1,241 undergrad · 1,535 grad
109
10 acres
Identity
Is Russell Sage College Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Russell Sage College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $58,316 — 8% above average — while paying $22,917/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% 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.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Russell Sage College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Russell Sage College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #35 of 87 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 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #2 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #3 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #4 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 55 | $22,900 | $65,607 |
| #5 | The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 54 | $18,378 | $68,303 |
| #6 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | 54 | $19,622 | $66,111 |
| #35 | Russell Sage College | 38 | $22,917 | $58,316 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Russell Sage College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in NY.
Best Programs at Russell Sage College
The highest-earning program at Russell Sage College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Design and Applied Arts at $28,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Russell Sage College earns $59,200, while a Design and Applied Arts graduate earns $28,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,917/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 | $59,200 | $59,200 | $24,479 |
| Information Science/Studies | $42,800 | $42,800 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,700 | $34,700 | $25,000 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | $34,600 | $34,600 | $22,000 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $29,200 | $29,200 | $22,710 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $28,800 | $28,800 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Troy, NY
- Student Body
- 1,244 students
- Admission Rate
- 53%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,917
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,316
- Median Student Debt
- $22,000