Saratoga Springs, NY · Private University
Is Skidmore College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$69,363
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$65,030
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,030
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$260,120
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.07x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
81.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$34,581
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Skidmore College graduates earn $24,363 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Skidmore College ranked by graduate earnings
65 graduates
28 graduates
19 graduates
26 graduates
16 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Skidmore College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Skidmore College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Business/Commerce, General: $65,277) and the lowest (Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences: $30,632) is $34,645/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, GeneralBest ROI | $65,277 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $64,061 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $50,391 | 0.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $46,934 | 0.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $44,463 | 0.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $40,204 | 0.6x |
| Biology, General(1yr data) | $39,235 | 0.6x |
| Sociology(1yr data) | $35,128 | 0.5x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related SciencesLowest(1yr data) | $30,632 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skidmore College | 1.07x | $69,363 | Average ROI |
| Denison University | 1.06x | $67,753 | Average ROI |
| Smith College | 1.04x | $64,027 | Average ROI |
| Bates College | 1.09x | $69,498 | Average ROI |
| Bryn Mawr College | 1.20x | $75,217 | Average ROI |
| Franklin and Marshall College | 1.11x | $76,124 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Skidmore College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $69,363 10 years after starting — $24,363 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.6 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.