Skidmore College vs Hobart William Smith Colleges: which has better ROI?
Skidmore College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $129,188 in 6.2 years versus 6.2 years at Hobart William Smith Colleges, on median earnings of $69,363 vs $68,831 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Skidmore College | Hobart William Smith Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,297 | $31,563 |
| Total net cost | $129,188 | $126,252 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,363 | $68,831 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | 6.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $290,872 | $283,168 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Skidmore College or Hobart William Smith Colleges?
Hobart William Smith Colleges, at $31,563 a year after aid versus $32,297 — a gap of $734 a year, or $2,936 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Skidmore College or Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates earn more?
Skidmore College graduates report a median $69,363 ten years after entry, $532 more than the $68,831 at Hobart William Smith Colleges. 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, Skidmore College or Hobart William Smith Colleges?
Skidmore College: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Hobart William Smith Colleges, a difference of $7,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
83% of students finish at Skidmore College, against 77% at Hobart William Smith Colleges. 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.