Public Health at Colby-Sawyer College

A $27,000 debt load against first-year earnings around $36,710 puts this program squarely in manageable territory—the 0.74 ratio sits comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold. What's less certain is whether Colby-Sawyer delivers outcomes at the higher or lower end of New Hampshire's range. Similar programs in the state span from Plymouth State's $34,087 to Southern New Hampshire's $45,910, with these estimates placing Colby-Sawyer near the middle at $36,710.

The jump to $48,614 by year four suggests meaningful salary progression in public health careers, which typically strengthen as professionals gain certifications and specialized experience. This growth trajectory matters for long-term financial planning, particularly since the initial debt burden appears modest enough to service on entry-level public health salaries. The field itself performs consistently—national benchmarks cluster tightly around $37,500, indicating relatively predictable outcomes regardless of location.

Without school-specific data, you're betting on Colby-Sawyer's small program (hence the data suppression) producing outcomes comparable to its New Hampshire peers. The safer assumption would be median-level results rather than top-tier, which still yields a workable financial picture. If your child has compelling reasons to attend—fit, campus culture, connections—the estimated debt load won't hamstring their early career. But if cost is the primary concern, comparing actual outcomes at Southern New Hampshire or Plymouth State would eliminate the guesswork.