Understanding the New Tuition

Families of current students can expect to pay the same out-of-pocket cost as they currently pay, plus a smaller-than-usual annual tuition increase. Because the tuition rate is now smaller, students should see smaller incremental increases during their enrollment at Colby-Sawyer. Families should see savings over what increases would have been had tuition not been reset, and financial aid packages will be adjusted in line with the new tuition.

Colby-Sawyer College has designed the overall new price to ensure that the out-of-pocket cost students pay starting in Fall 2023 will be less than they would have paid had the college not implemented the reset. For returning students, the estimated savings will be evident in the illustrations included in the information sent on September 7.

Returning students will pay about the same amount under the new tuition price as they pay now. When students review their bills for the 2023-24 academic year, they will see that the combined total amount of institutional scholarship and financial aid will be lower — but Colby-Sawyer will charge a proportionately lower amount for students’ tuition. So, while some of the figures on our bill will change, the net tuition cost — what students actually pay — will be about the same as it is now.

The new tuition price of $17,500 is effective beginning in Fall 2023 for both new and returning four-year undergraduate students.

Returning students will see no change in the 2022-23 academic year. Unless their family income and assets have changed, returning students can expect to pay roughly the same in 2023-24 as they do now. To find out exactly how the new tuition will impact them, students should first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms, which are available starting October 1. Colby-Sawyer’s Financial Aid Office will provide current students with updated financial aid offers under the new tuition model during the spring of 2023. Scholarships and merit aid from Colby-Sawyer will continue to be awarded and will scale with the new tuition model.

We expect that the actual price of attendance (net price) for a returning student in 2023-24 will remain roughly equal to the amount students are paying this academic year, assuming the student maintains their academic progress and that their family’s financial circumstances remain the same.

Going forward, because the tuition rate is now smaller, students should see smaller incremental increases during their enrollment, and families should see savings over what increases would have been had tuition not been lowered.

With a new $17,500 annual tuition, Colby-Sawyer is one of the most affordable private colleges in the region, and its cost is comparable to that of a public institution. By having transparent, more accessible tuition, more students will know that a Colby-Sawyer experience is possible for them. And that means our campus will be enhanced by a student body with a greater diversity of perspectives and backgrounds, creating richer classroom discussions and a wider array of experiences outside the classroom.

In addition, the tuition reset promises to contribute to the continuing stability and growth of the college, which will benefit our entire alumni network, including current students, well into the future.

No. The tuition reset applies only to four-year undergraduate students. Our competitive pricing for the MBA program will remain the same.

No. The tuition reset applies only to four-year undergraduate students. Our competitive pricing for the ABSN program will remain the same.

No. The tuition reset applies only to four-year undergraduate students. Our competitive pricing for the MSN program will remain the same.

A student’s total cost is set individually and depends on a number of factors, including academic performance, family income/assets and competition in scholarship/fellowship programs. Financial aid packages will be adjusted in line with the new tuition, and families of current students will pay the same net tuition price they currently pay. On September 7, all currently enrolled students (excluding those who plan to graduate in May 2023) received a personalized estimate of how their cost of attendance would compare using the current tuition pricing and the new tuition pricing.

No. All four-year undergraduate students will be enrolled at the new $17,500 annual tuition for the 2023-24 year.

Typically, room and board charges are adjusted from year to year in order to cover increased costs incurred by the college. Colby-Sawyer College leadership is committed to keeping annual increases at the lowest rate possible.

At Colby-Sawyer, learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom, and the student development that takes place in the residence halls is a critical part of our mission. For that reason, the college has a residency requirement for undergraduates. Exceptions are made for students who meet specific criteria, such as being above the age of 24, living with parents or guardians within 30 miles of campus and experiencing a disability that warrants an exception to the policy. The full residency requirement policy can be found at Residency-Requirement.pdf.

A student’s total cost is set individually and depends on a number of factors, including their academic profile, family income, family assets and competition in a number of scholarship programs. In early March 2023, returning students will receive their annual estimate of the new 2023 tuition, fees, room and board charges, minus aid from all sources, resulting in their expected payment for the 2023-24 academic year. At the conclusion of the spring term after room and board selection, all students will receive a more complete financial aid award letter.

Personalized comparison packages of tuition costs were shared with all currently enrolled four-year students who have fewer than 25 completed credits (all non-seniors) on September 7. If you did not receive an estimate and you intend to enroll full-time during the 2023-24 academic year, please reach out to the Financial Aid Office by emailing cscfinaid@colby-sawyer.edu or calling 603.526.3717 and an estimate will be provided to you.

Financial aid awards for 2023-24 will be lower to reflect the lower tuition, but your out-of-pocket cost will be roughly the same as what you are paying now. To simplify the process, most of your Colby-Sawyer College awards will be combined together in your comparison package of tuition charges.

The vast majority of students will still receive their scholarships from Colby-Sawyer College, but the amounts may be adjusted to be in line with the new tuition. Your out-of-pocket cost will be roughly the same as what you are paying now.

No. Students who hold jobs on campus will still be able to work as usual.

No. Eligibility for Federal Pell Grants is based on a family’s income and assets, as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal student loans are available to all students who file the FAFSA.

Colby-Sawyer College’s policy on outside scholarships remains the same. In most cases, outside scholarships secured by the student reduce aid like federal work study and federal student loans.

Non-need-based financial aid packages will be adjusted in line with the new tuition. Additionally, to simplify your award as we embark on the tuition reset, most of your Colby-Sawyer College awards and grants will be condensed into one line on your financial aid award.

Colby-Sawyer College is resetting its published tuition price beginning in Fall 2023. Students enrolling in Spring 2023 will reflect the college’s 2022-23 tuition and room and board charges.

Despite Colby-Sawyer's efforts to address the escalating costs of higher education through increased scholarship support, we know that many alumni have significant student loan debt. The college's new tuition will not reduce the debt burden of our graduates, but we are committed to continuing to work with families to do whatever we can to alleviate the need for increased borrowing.

Current students who have questions about their specific aid and cost of attendance should contact the Financial Aid Office by emailing cscfinaid@colby-sawyer.edu or calling 603.526.3717.

Prospective students who have questions should contact the Admissions Office at 603-526-3700 or admissions@colby-sawyer.edu.