Colby-Sawyer College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$73,600
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$2,935/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
25.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-20%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The one-year earnings for Colby-Sawyer College graduates is $45,135, which is more than double the in-state tuition cost of $18,400. The median debt for graduates is $27,000, and 68.6% of students receive financial aid. The five-year earnings are $37,935, and the ten-year earnings are $46,474.
The data does not provide enough information to calculate a debt-to-income ratio or a break-even timeline. However, the one-year earnings suggest a positive return on investment compared to the tuition cost. The college has a 90% acceptance rate, an 80.8% retention rate, and a 61% graduation rate.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$18,400
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$37,935
Graduation Rate
61%
Receive Financial Aid
69%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $73,600 | $74,856 | 983% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $73,600 | $41,675 | 81% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $73,600 | $60,750 | 600% |
| Psychology, General. | $73,600 | $43,012 | 118% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $73,600 | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $73,600 | $49,550 | 295% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $73,600 | $0 | N/A |
| Public Health. | $73,600 | $48,614 | 270% |
| Design and Applied Arts. | $73,600 | $0 | N/A |
| History. | $73,600 | $0 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | $73,600 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | $73,600 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.