Analysis
A $26,000 debt load for a bachelor's degree from Colby-Sawyer looks manageable on paper, but parents should understand they're working with estimates here—the school's graduating class in this interdisciplinary major is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. The projected first-year salary of $41,802 comes from the median of just four New Hampshire programs, and while that debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 falls within reasonable bounds, it tells you little about what Colby-Sawyer graduates specifically achieve.
What we do know is instructive: the top interdisciplinary programs in New Hampshire show a $18,000 spread in first-year earnings, from UNH's online program at nearly $50,000 down to Plymouth State at $31,500. Colby-Sawyer's estimated figure sits in the middle, slightly above the national median of $38,704. For a small liberal arts college with a 90% acceptance rate, that positioning suggests neither exceptional outcomes nor alarming underperformance relative to peer institutions.
The practical question is whether you're comfortable making a financial commitment when the school hasn't graduated enough students in this major to generate reliable data. That small program size could mean personalized attention, or it could signal a less established curriculum. Before enrolling, ask the school directly about job placement rates and typical career paths for their interdisciplinary studies graduates—if they can't provide concrete answers, that's your signal about how much uncertainty you're accepting.
Where Colby-Sawyer College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New Hampshire
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Hampshire (6 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Colby-Sawyer CollegeNew London | $18,400 | $41,802* | — | $25,878* | — |
 University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies OnlineManchester | $7,812 | $49,534* | $49,959 | $27,000* | 0.55 |
 Keene State CollegeKeene | $14,710 | $43,752* | — | —* | — |
 University of New Hampshire-Main CampusDurham | $19,112 | $39,852* | $49,959 | $27,000* | 0.68 |
 Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth | $14,558 | $31,495* | $42,660 | $26,856* | 0.85 |
| National Median | — | $38,704* | — | $25,495* | 0.66 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Colby-Sawyer College, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in NH. Actual outcomes may vary.