Colby-Sawyer College
#3 Best Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire- Graduation Rate
- 60% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $46,474 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $27,431 D
- 60% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 10.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $10.9 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire.
Every $1 spent returns $10.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,089,981.
What The Data Says
-
A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $10.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Colby-Sawyer College Matters
Colby-Sawyer College is a private college in New London, NH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 771
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Education, Psychology, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Colby-Sawyer College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 80% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $27,431 a year after grants and scholarships — 60% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $46,474 ten years after enrolling — 14% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 77% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Colby-Sawyer College is a solid choice for students looking to dive into practical fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, and Biology & Biomedical. With an acceptance rate of 80%, it’s accessible for many, and the relatively small enrollment of 771 students means you can expect a close-knit community. This environment can be particularly appealing if you thrive in settings where you can build strong relationships with peers and faculty.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $46,474 within ten years, which gives a good sense of the return on investment for their education. The college's focus on career-oriented programs helps prepare graduates for the job market. While the graduation rate sits at 60%, many students find their footing and advance in their careers, making the most of the opportunities available to them.
When it comes to finances, the net price after aid is about $27,431, which is manageable for many families, especially considering that 23% of students receive Pell Grants. With a median debt of $27,000, graduates may find themselves in a reasonable position to pay off their loans, particularly if they enter high-demand fields. Those who tend to thrive here are often proactive and engaged, ready to take advantage of the resources and support offered by the college.
Rankings
- #3 Best Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire
- #4 Best Education Colleges in New Hampshire
- #6 Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire
- #7 Best Colleges in New Hampshire
- #7 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Hampshire
- #7 Best Master's Programs in New Hampshire
- #7 Best Psychology Colleges in New Hampshire
- #12 Best Business Colleges in New Hampshire
Can I Get In?
How selective Colby-Sawyer College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Colby-Sawyer College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in New London, New Hampshire, Colby-Sawyer College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,194
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.39
- First-Gen Students
- 24%
- Applicants
- 1,751
- Admitted
- 1,366
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Colby-Sawyer College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Colby-Sawyer College is $19,125, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $27,431. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,456 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $19,125
- Out-of-State
- $19,125
- Avg Net Price
- $27,431
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 23%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 66%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $22,456
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $19,687
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $24,437
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,679
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Colby-Sawyer College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Colby-Sawyer College earn a median of $46,474, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,935
- 8 Years
- $45,879
- 10 Years
- $46,474
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.58x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (185)
- 56%
- 100% (185)
- 56%
- 100% (185)
- 56%
- 100% (185)
- 56%
How Colby-Sawyer Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Colby-Sawyer College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Colby-Sawyer College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $27,431/year ($109,724 total). Graduates earn $46,474 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,199,705 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,089,981 (10.9× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 60% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $109,724
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,199,705
- Net Return
- $1,089,981
- ROI Multiple
- 10.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $27,431
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Colby-Sawyer College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Colby-Sawyer College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $99,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.99%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 25.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $99,400
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,268,331
- Investment Income
- $-8,168,635
Top Programs
The fields Colby-Sawyer College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 50%
- Education 8%
- Psychology 8%
- Business & Marketing 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Social Sciences 3%
- English & Literature 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Colby-Sawyer College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Colby-Sawyer College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in New London, New Hampshire, Colby-Sawyer College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Colby-Sawyer College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Colby-Sawyer College is $19,125, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $27,431. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,456 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Colby-Sawyer College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Colby-Sawyer College earn a median of $46,474, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Colby-Sawyer College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Colby-Sawyer College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $99,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Colby-Sawyer College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Colby-Sawyer College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Colby-Sawyer College.
- Cairn University-LanghorneLanghorne, PA · Close peer62% grad $44,172 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Hampshire CollegeAmherst, MA · Close peer56% grad $46,938 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Milligan UniversityMilligan, TN · Close peer62% grad $46,641 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Truett McConnell UniversityCleveland, GA · Close peer39% grad $46,700 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Montreat CollegeMontreat, NC · Close peer45% grad $45,151 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Anderson UniversityAnderson, IN · Close peer52% grad $48,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Colby-Sawyer College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Colby-Sawyer College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note