Students at Skidmore College achieve earnings that place the institution among the top performers nationally, with graduates consistently outperforming peers at similar liberal arts colleges.
The college delivers particularly strong outcomes for low-income students who gain admission, creating meaningful economic mobility despite its selective admissions profile.
Skidmore College delivers strong long-term financial outcomes within the selective liberal arts college landscape. Graduates earn a median of $69,363 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 85th percentile nationally for earnings—well above typical outcomes for similar colleges. The college maintains highly selective admissions and serves a relatively affluent student body, with only 14% of students receiving Pell Grants and about 15% being first-generation college students.
What distinguishes Skidmore is its ability to translate selectivity into meaningful career outcomes. Despite serving fewer low-income students than most institutions, the college achieves strong mobility outcomes for the students it does enroll, with low-income graduates earning $57,800 ten years out. This combination places Skidmore in the "Selective Achievers" mobility quadrant—institutions that deliver excellent outcomes but with limited access for lower-income families.
As a medium-sized private liberal arts college in New York, Skidmore offers the intimate academic environment and alumni networks typical of selective private institutions, while consistently delivering the financial returns that justify its premium pricing structure.
Skidmore College's program portfolio reflects the breadth and flexibility typical of strong liberal arts institutions, with outcomes that vary significantly by field but generally support strong long-term career development. Business emerges as the college's economic engine, graduating 103 students who earn $43,575 early in their careers—creating the highest aggregate return among all programs. This reflects both the program's substantial enrollment and its direct connection to well-paying career paths in finance, consulting, and management.
Psychology represents the college's largest single program with 71 graduates, though early earnings of $36,668 reflect the field's typical pattern of requiring additional education or experience for higher compensation. The college's newer Artificial Intelligence program, while smaller with just 22 graduates, demonstrates Skidmore's ability to adapt to emerging fields, with early earnings of $50,270 that reflect strong demand for technical skills in the current job market.
Even traditionally lower-earning fields like English, with 53 graduates earning $26,933 early in their careers, benefit from Skidmore's liberal arts approach and alumni networks. These graduates often develop into communications, media, publishing, and creative industry roles where compensation grows substantially with experience, reflecting the long-term value of the critical thinking and communication skills that define a Skidmore education.
Graduates of Skidmore College achieve strong long-term earnings that reflect the value of a selective liberal arts education. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $69,363, placing the college in the 85th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. This performance demonstrates how a rigorous liberal arts foundation can translate into competitive career outcomes across diverse fields and industries.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly by field of study. Business majors represent the largest concentration of high-return graduates, with 103 students earning a median of $43,575 early in their careers, creating substantial aggregate economic value. Psychology, the college's largest program with 71 graduates, shows more moderate early earnings at $36,668, typical for students who often pursue graduate education or enter helping professions. The college's emerging Artificial Intelligence program, though smaller with 22 graduates, demonstrates strong earning potential at $50,270, reflecting growing demand in technology fields.
Skidmore's liberal arts approach means many graduates enter fields where earnings grow substantially over time, even if starting salaries appear modest. English majors, for example, begin with lower early earnings around $26,933 but often develop into communications, media, and creative industry roles where compensation increases significantly with experience and expertise.
Affordability at Skidmore College reflects its positioning as a premium private liberal arts institution, with net prices that vary dramatically by family income. Low-income families pay approximately $20,906 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $17,308—both figures representing substantial financial aid packages that bring costs well below the full sticker price. However, high-income families face net prices of $46,513, reflecting the college's full-pay expectations for families with greater financial capacity.
The college's aid strategy focuses heavily on making attendance possible for lower-income students who gain admission, though the small share of Pell recipients suggests that access remains limited. For families who do enroll, the financial commitment is significant but generally sustainable given graduate outcomes. The college's 0% federal loan default rate indicates that borrowers successfully manage their debt obligations, supported by strong post-graduation earnings that make repayment feasible.
Skidmore's pricing structure reflects the premium liberal arts market, where families pay substantial amounts for small class sizes, extensive faculty interaction, and strong alumni networks. While affordability remains challenging for many middle-class families, those who can manage the investment typically see returns through enhanced career opportunities and long-term earning potential.
Skidmore College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
