Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Russell Sage College #624 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,544 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 77.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Russell Sage College #781 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for graduates entering health and social service fields. --- Russell Sage College's composite ranking reflects balanced strengths in mobility and earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's health-focused program mix supports graduates entering stable, in-demand careers with meaningful financial outcomes.
Azimuth ranks Russell Sage College #624 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private doctoral/professional university in Troy, New York, Russell Sage College enrolls roughly 1,244 undergraduates. Retention stands at 77.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 56.1%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a health-focused institution. Russell Sage College draws strength from its concentrated mission in health and related fields. 42.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.5% are first-generation college students, positioning the institution as an access point for students from lower-income and non-college-educated backgrounds. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $66,409, and earn about $5,544 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Russell Sage College in the 77.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Russell Sage College #598 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability anchor the institution's profile. Russell Sage College sits in the 66.7 percentile for access and the 47.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting both broad enrollment of lower-income students and pricing that remains accessible relative to comparable private institutions. Mobility outcomes sit in the 47.3 percentile, indicating that graduates move into sustainable career pathways aligned with the institution's health-sciences emphasis. For students seeking a smaller, mission-driven institution with clear career pathways in nursing, health professions, and related fields, Russell Sage College offers a direct route from enrollment to employment in stable, in-demand sectors.
Russell Sage College's published cost of attendance is $50,607. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $6,662, middle-income families pay around $21,326, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,526. Azimuth ranks Russell Sage College #744 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. Russell Sage College uses need-based aid to close the gap between published cost and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, and work-study is available as part of the aid package for qualifying students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,291; 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 $66,409, median federal debt of $22,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $249 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Russell Sage College is a strong fit for students interested in health professions who want a private college experience in NY's Capital Region. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $66,409, placing Russell Sage College in the 70.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $5,544 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 77.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college serves a significant population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 42.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.5% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $26,526, with need-based aid available to close the gap for qualifying students. With Health representing 11% of degrees, fit depends on interest in health-oriented fields. The 53.3% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective.
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 Russell Sage College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
90 graduates
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
14 graduates
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
43 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
21 graduates
Social Sciences, Other
14 graduates
Russell Sage College's program mix is anchored in health professions and clinical sciences—a portfolio aligned with the institution's mission as a health-focused liberal arts college. Nursing is the largest program with 90 graduates, followed by Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, Psychology, General, Subject-Specific Teacher Education, and Business Administration.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 312 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's concentration in healthcare and applied clinical fields.
Nursing delivers median 4-year earnings of $89,836 with 90 graduates, while Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $70,329. Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other and Business Administration round out the highest-earning programs, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $68,647 and $58,753 respectively.
These outcomes reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings capture early-career labor-market positioning in nursing, allied health, and clinical support roles. The program portfolio emphasizes healthcare delivery and clinical practice—fields where graduates enter stable, in-demand roles with predictable wage trajectories.
Nursing and Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other anchor the institution's largest cohorts and connect directly to regional healthcare employers in the Capital Region and beyond. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Russell Sage College's dominant health-professions portfolio aligns with sustained national demand in healthcare occupations.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Russell Sage College's published cost of attendance is $50,607. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $6,662, middle-income families pay around $21,326, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,526.
Azimuth ranks Russell Sage College #744 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.
Russell Sage College uses need-based aid to close the gap between published cost and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply using the FAFSA, and work-study is available as part of the aid package for qualifying students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,291; 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 $66,409, median federal debt of $22,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $249 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 Russell Sage College earn median 4-year earnings of $66,409, placing Russell Sage College in the 70.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,544 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Russell Sage College in the 77.7 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Russell Sage College #598 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Russell Sage College's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 90 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $89,836, which is 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other program graduates 43 students earning median 4-year earnings of $68,647, at 1.0x the benchmark.
Psychology, General and Subject-Specific Teacher Education round out the top programs, with 36 and 26 graduates respectively earning $50,446 and $51,080 four years after enrollment. This program mix — anchored in Health — drives consistent outcomes across a focused portfolio aligned with stable, in-demand career pathways.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Worcester State University Higher acceptance rate (13.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 99 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 90% | $60,624 | Compare |
Utica University Higher acceptance rate (11 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 84 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 87% | $63,277 | Compare |
American International College Higher acceptance rate (20.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 72 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 97% | $53,124 | Compare |
Keuka College Higher acceptance rate (17.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 94% | $58,289 | Compare |
Elmira College Higher acceptance rate (14.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 91% | $57,550 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abilene Christian University Similar quality tier (#15848 ranked) | TX | 100% | $55,736 | #15848 | Compare |
Hood College Similar quality tier (#16362 ranked) | MD | 78% | $57,089 | #16362 | Compare |
Barnard College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#16363 ranked) | NY | 9% | $80,516 | #16363 | Compare |
Illinois Wesleyan University Similar quality tier (#15831 ranked) | IL | 39% | $70,871 | #15831 | Compare |
Carlow University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15829 ranked) | PA | 87% | $51,051 | #15829 | Compare |
