Accounting at Colby-Sawyer College

A debt-to-earnings ratio below 0.5 suggests manageable student loan obligations, and this program—based on four comparable accounting bachelor's programs in New Hampshire—appears to clear that threshold. With estimated first-year earnings around $54,500 against $27,000 in debt, graduates would be looking at monthly loan payments consuming roughly 11-12% of their income, a workable burden for most entry-level accounting professionals. The figures align closely with national benchmarks, where accounting bachelor's holders typically earn $53,700 with $25,000 in debt.

What complicates the picture is Colby-Sawyer's pricing. The college's limited enrollment in this program means we're extrapolating from peer schools rather than tracking actual graduate outcomes. Looking at New Hampshire's accounting programs with reported data, there's considerable spread—from $45,000 to over $60,000 in first-year earnings. Saint Anselm graduates, for instance, command $6,000 more than the state median suggests for this program, while Franklin Pierce falls well below. Where Colby-Sawyer would land in that range is genuinely uncertain.

For parents, the question becomes whether you're comfortable with that uncertainty at this price point. The estimated numbers suggest a functional investment—not remarkable, but serviceable for launching an accounting career. However, you're essentially betting on Colby-Sawyer's career services and employer connections without concrete proof they deliver outcomes matching their tuition. If you're risk-averse, look for New Hampshire programs with reported data showing where their accounting graduates actually land.