Colby-Sawyer College vs River Valley Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but River Valley Community College comes closer — median earnings $44,700 against a $29,608 total, vs $46,474 at Colby-Sawyer College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colby-Sawyer College | River Valley Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,431 | $14,804 |
| Total net cost | $109,724 | $29,608 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,474 | $44,700 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $16,226 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$147,444 | -$102,808 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Colby-Sawyer College or River Valley Community College?
River Valley Community College, at $14,804 a year after aid versus $27,431 — a gap of $12,627 a year, or $80,116 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Colby-Sawyer College or River Valley Community College graduates earn more?
Colby-Sawyer College graduates report a median $46,474 ten years after entry, $1,774 more than the $44,700 at River Valley Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Colby-Sawyer College or River Valley Community College?
River Valley Community College: its completers carry a median $16,226 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Colby-Sawyer College, a difference of $10,774. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Colby-Sawyer College, against 22% at River Valley Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.