Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Colby-Sawyer College #1407 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,520 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Colby-Sawyer College in the 27.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Colby-Sawyer College #1107 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Colby-Sawyer College #1407 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in New London, NH, Colby-Sawyer College enrolls roughly 771 undergraduates. Retention is 76.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 57.5%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Colby-Sawyer College performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Colby-Sawyer College #1107 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,874, and earn about $7,520 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Colby-Sawyer College in the 27.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's concentration in Health fields, where employer demand and career progression support strong early-career outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. 22.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 24.1% are first-generation college students, positioning Colby-Sawyer College in the 6.0 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 16.2 percentile, reflecting the tuition structure typical of private master's institutions. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 27.0 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Colby-Sawyer College's published cost of attendance is $38,527. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $22,456, mid-low-income families pay around $19,687, middle-income families pay about $24,437, mid-high-income families pay approximately $27,412, and higher-income families pay around $29,679. Azimuth ranks Colby-Sawyer College #1195 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Colby-Sawyer College meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through a combination of need-based scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile to determine eligibility for institutional aid. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs alongside its own institutional funding. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $38,135; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,874, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Colby-Sawyer College is a strong fit for students interested in Health fields who want a private college experience in NH. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $57,874, placing Colby-Sawyer College in the 32.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $7,520 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 27.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 22.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 24.1% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Colby-Sawyer College in the 70.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 80.1% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Health fields over others. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find a strong earnings trajectory.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Colby-Sawyer College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Colby-Sawyer College's published cost of attendance is $38,527. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $22,456, mid-low-income families pay around $19,687, middle-income families pay about $24,437, mid-high-income families pay approximately $27,412, and higher-income families pay around $29,679.
Azimuth ranks Colby-Sawyer College #1195 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Colby-Sawyer College meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through a combination of need-based scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile to determine eligibility for institutional aid.
The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs alongside its own institutional funding. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $38,135; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,874, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Colby-Sawyer College earn median 4-year earnings of $57,874, placing Colby-Sawyer College in the 32.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,520 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Colby-Sawyer College in the 27.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Colby-Sawyer College #1107 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Colby-Sawyer College's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 40 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $82,803, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Biology, General program graduates 19 students earning $45,783, and the The Kinesiology program graduates 15 students earning $55,024.
Together, these programs anchor the institution's outcomes in the health sciences and related professional fields, where employer demand remains steady and career pathways are well-defined.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hendrix College Similar quality tier (#36174 ranked) | AR | 56% | $60,376 | #36174 | Compare |
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design Similar quality tier in Northeast (#36173 ranked) | PA | 99% | $33,301 | #36173 | Compare |
Mcmurry University Similar quality tier (#36171 ranked) | TX | 57% | $48,779 | #36171 | Compare |
Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz Similar quality tier in Northeast (#36170 ranked) | NY | 87% | $35,023 | #36170 | Compare |
Keystone College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#36181 ranked) | PA | 85% | $44,976 | #36181 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
40 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
14 graduates
Psychology, General
14 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
15 graduates
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
7 graduates
Colby-Sawyer College's program mix is anchored in Health and applied professional fields. Nursing is the largest program with 40 graduates, followed by Biology, General, Kinesiology, Psychology, General, and Business Administration.
This concentration in health-related and wellness-oriented fields reflects the institution's positioning as a specialized liberal arts college with a professional focus. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied health and business fields.
Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $82,803, while Business Administration graduates earn $68,502 and Psychology, General graduates earn $56,533. Kinesiology and Natural Resources Conservation and Research round out the highest-earning programs with graduates earning $55,024 and $47,114 respectively.
These programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes in fields with consistent hiring demand. The program portfolio emphasizes applied professional preparation aligned with regional and national labor markets in healthcare, business, and human services.
Nursing and Biology, General together account for a substantial share of the institution's degree output, positioning Colby-Sawyer College as a pipeline into stable, in-demand fields.
