Fisher College provides an intimate private college experience in Boston with strong support for first-generation and Pell-eligible students seeking career-focused education.
The college emphasizes personalized attention and practical programs, though graduates should expect modest earnings outcomes typical of service-oriented fields.
Fisher College is a small private nonprofit institution in Boston that serves a diverse student body, with 42% of students receiving Pell Grants and nearly 47% being first-generation college students. The college focuses on practical, career-oriented programs in business, human services, and criminal justice, offering the intimate learning environment typical of small private colleges.
Graduates earn a median of $49,669 ten years after enrollment, which places Fisher in the 37th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. While these earnings are modest compared to larger research universities, they reflect the college's emphasis on fields like human services and business administration that prioritize social impact alongside financial returns.
As an urban private college, Fisher provides students with direct access to Boston's job market and internship opportunities. The college's small size means students receive individualized attention and support, which can be particularly valuable for first-generation students navigating higher education. However, families should understand that Fisher's outcomes reflect its focus on service-oriented careers rather than high-earning technical fields.
Fisher College's program portfolio centers on practical, career-oriented fields that emphasize service and social impact. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the highest-earning program and the one delivering the strongest aggregate return, with 36 graduates earning a median of $51,273 ten years after graduation. This program represents Fisher's most direct pathway to middle-class earnings in the Boston job market.
Human Services dominates enrollment with 41 graduates annually, reflecting Fisher's mission-driven approach to education. While these graduates earn a more modest $34,793 median salary, they enter stable, meaningful careers in social work, counseling, and community services. Corrections Administration, with 28 graduates earning around $38,289, provides another pathway into public service careers with steady employment prospects.
As a focused institution, Fisher concentrates on programs that serve community needs rather than pursuing high-earning technical fields. This approach creates clear career pathways for students interested in business, human services, and criminal justice, though families should understand that earnings potential reflects these fields' emphasis on social impact over maximum financial returns.
Fisher College graduates earn a median of $49,669 ten years after enrollment, with earnings that slightly exceed expectations given the institution's profile and student demographics. This modest earnings premium suggests that Fisher's career-focused approach and Boston location provide some advantage in the job market, though overall earnings remain in the lower tier nationally.
The college's strongest financial outcomes come from Business Administration and Management, where 36 graduates earn a median of $51,273 ten years out, making it both the highest-earning and highest aggregate return program. Human Services, the largest program with 41 graduates, leads to median earnings of $34,793, reflecting the field's emphasis on social impact over high salaries. Corrections Administration graduates earn around $38,289, positioning them in the middle range of the college's outcomes.
Fisher's program mix reflects its mission-driven approach, with substantial enrollment in human services and criminal justice fields that typically offer stable employment and meaningful work rather than top-tier salaries. Students should expect steady, service-oriented career paths with earnings that support middle-class lifestyles in the Boston area, though they may not reach the income levels seen at more research-focused institutions.
Fisher College's net pricing varies significantly by family income, with low-income students paying about $23,879 annually while middle-income families face costs around $25,874 per year. High-income families see net prices rise to $31,032, though this remains below the sticker price at many private colleges. These price points place Fisher in the 15th percentile nationally for affordability, meaning costs are higher than at most comparable institutions.
Typical graduates leave with $25,000 in federal student loan debt, a substantial amount given the college's modest earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $24,080, bringing total family debt to nearly $50,000 for many students. With median graduate earnings around $49,669, debt levels represent a significant portion of early-career income, requiring careful financial planning and potentially extended repayment periods to manage comfortably.
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