Business Administration, Management and Operations at Colby-Sawyer College

Colby-Sawyer's business graduates earn $54,304 in their first year—substantially above both the national median ($45,703) and New Hampshire's state median ($48,700). Among New Hampshire's nine business programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only UNH-Main Campus and Southern New Hampshire University's online program. That's notable for a small liberal arts college with a 90% admission rate, suggesting strong regional employer connections or effective career placement.

The $27,000 median debt sits right at both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates should be able to handle monthly loan payments of around $300 on a $54,000 starting salary—well within the recommended 10-15% of income. Earnings grow to $60,750 by year four, a healthy 12% increase that indicates graduates aren't hitting a ceiling early in their careers.

The real value here is accessing top-quartile national outcomes through a smaller, more accessible institution. While you'll pay more than attending Keene State or Franklin Pierce, your child is likely to out-earn those programs' graduates from day one. For families weighing New Hampshire options, this represents a solid middle ground between the state's flagship programs and lower-cost alternatives.