Colby-Sawyer vs. Rivier University

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby Sawyer College in New London, NH with Rivier University in Nashua, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rivier University is larger than Colby-Sawyer based on total student enrollment (2,777 students vs. 972 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby Sawyer College is located in New London, NH (Distant Rural setting); Rivier University is in Nashua, NH (Small City setting).
• Colby Sawyer College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rivier University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby Sawyer College 10:1; Rivier University 14:1.

Colby-Sawyer vs. Rivier University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby-Sawyer or Rivier University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colby Sawyer College than Rivier University ($27,496 vs. $28,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rivier University are 10% lower than at Colby Sawyer College ($15,636 vs. $17,364).
• Rivier University is 106.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colby-Sawyer (about $20,363 more per year; $39,488.00 vs. $19,125.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.5% higher at Rivier University than at Colby Sawyer College (about $20,363 more per year; $39,488.00 vs. $19,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colby Sawyer College than at Rivier University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rivier University students is 124.6% larger than aid received by Colby Sawyer College students ($24,927 vs. $11,098).

Colby-Sawyer vs. Rivier University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby-Sawyer or Rivier University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rivier University and Colby-Sawyer.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRivier University 1055/1175.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby-Sawyer - Test-free; Rivier University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rivier University Oct 16, 2026.
• Rivier University has a higher acceptance rate (82.6%) than Colby-Sawyer (80.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Colby-Sawyer vs. 15.3% at Rivier University.

Colby-Sawyer vs. Rivier University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby-Sawyer and Rivier University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Colby Sawyer College's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Rivier University's (32%).
• Graduates from Rivier University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Colby-Sawyer graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $44,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rivier University graduates have a $1,545 lower median loan debt than Colby-Sawyer graduates ($25,455 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Rivier University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby-Sawyer graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Colby-Sawyer graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rivier University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.