Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science
- Graduation Rate
- 52% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $46,145 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $26,683 D
- 56% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 77% 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.
Every $1 spent returns $10.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,054,400.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Social mobility rate of 2.01% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $10.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Matters
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a private college in Paul Smiths, NY 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
- 579
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Culinary & Personal Services, Biology & Biomedical, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science
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
Competitive — admits about 77% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $26,683 a year after grants and scholarships — 56% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $46,145 ten years after enrolling — 13% above the typical college, against $22,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 27% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.46 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science, we find a community that caters to students seeking a blend of hands-on experience and academic growth. With an enrollment of 579 and a 77% acceptance rate, it's accessible for many who are passionate about fields like Business & Marketing, Culinary & Personal Services, Biology & Biomedical, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. This wide range of programs means there’s something for students with various interests and career goals.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $46,145 within ten years. That’s a solid figure, especially considering the experiences and skills they gain here. The college's affordability plays a significant role in this, as it caters to students from different financial backgrounds. With 36% of students receiving Pell Grants, there's a commitment to making education accessible, which can help propel graduates into promising careers.
When we look at the financials, the net price after aid stands at $26,683, and the median debt is $22,750. This balance encourages students to thrive without being overwhelmed by debt. Those who tend to flourish at Paul Smiths are often driven individuals ready to dive into their passions, whether in the culinary arts, business, or sciences. This supportive environment helps them build a foundation for a successful future.
Can I Get In?
How selective Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is — and how your numbers stack up.
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Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science, located in Paul Smiths, New York, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 85%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,551
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.29
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 955
- Admitted
- 811
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 Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is $33,009, 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 $26,683. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,732 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $33,009
- Out-of-State
- $33,009
- Avg Net Price
- $26,683
- Median Debt
- $22,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 36%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 72%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,732
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,877
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $23,253
- Family Income $110K+
- $32,048
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science earn a median of $46,145, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,325
- 8 Years
- $43,916
- 10 Years
- $46,145
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 59%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (80)
- 45%
- 100% (80)
- 45%
- 100% (80)
- 45%
- 100% (80)
- 45%
How Paul 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 Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $26,683/year ($106,732 total). Graduates earn $46,145 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,161,132 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,054,400 (10.9× your investment). The median debt is $22,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 52% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $106,732
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,161,132
- Net Return
- $1,054,400
- ROI Multiple
- 10.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $26,683
- Median Debt
- $22,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
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 Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.01%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.01%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 18.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $76,300
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,611,840
- Investment Income
- $-1,623,712
Top Programs
The fields Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science 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.
- Business & Marketing 7%
- Culinary & Personal Services 7%
- Biology & Biomedical 6%
- Criminal Justice 3%
- Psychology 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science'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 Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science, located in Paul Smiths, New York, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is $33,009, 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 $26,683. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,732 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,750 in federal student loans.
Is Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science earn a median of $46,145, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.01%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science. Its economic connectedness score is 1.46, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science.
- Holy Cross CollegeNotre Dame, IN · Close peer50% grad $50,416 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Montreat CollegeMontreat, NC · Close peer45% grad $45,151 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rosemont CollegeRosemont, PA · Close peer49% grad $48,555 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Florida CollegeTemple Terrace, FL · Close peer53% grad $43,445 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southwestern Adventist UniversityKeene, TX · Close peer47% grad $52,946 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Maranatha Baptist UniversityWatertown, WI · Close peer65% grad $45,593 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science. Its economic connectedness score is 1.46, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note