Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science
Paul Smiths, NY 12970-0265
About Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a private research university in Paul Smiths, New York, enrolling about 579 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 76.53% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $46,145 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science charges 13% above the national private non-profit median tuition ($33,009).
- Versus the New York median, sticker tuition is about 2.4×.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 50.55%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $46,145.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 332% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science | $33,009 | $26,683 | 1 |
| Private Non-profit (national median) | $29,325 | — | 1,444 |
| New York (state median) | $13,810 | $9,373 | 272 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
Average net price is 19% below published tuition at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science
Key findings
- Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's average net price ($26,683) is 19% below published tuition ($33,009).
- Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science charges 13% above the national private non-profit median tuition ($33,009).
- Versus the New York median, sticker tuition is about 2.4×.
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $33,009
Finding Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science charges 13% above the national private non-profit median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $33,009. That is 13% above the national private non-profit median ($29,325). Versus the New York median ($13,810), sticker tuition is about 2.4×. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 2.8×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to private non-profit and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is $26,683.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $26,683 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $17,310 above the New York median net price.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science’s published tuition substantially overstates typical undergraduate cost: average net price is about 19% lower after grants and scholarships.
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
Annual tuition
$33,009
Avg. net price
$26,683
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $16,732 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $17,877 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $23,253 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $29,288 |
| $110,001+ | $32,048 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $132,036. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is known for
Top program completions
- Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General30
- Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management19
- Environmental Science16
- 00.03009
- Forest Management/Forest Resources Management8
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 16% of admitted students enrolled.
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science.
Campus
Location
Paul Smiths, NY
City / state
- ZIP
- 12970-0265
Control
Institution type
Private Non-profit
Control
- Region
- Mid East
- Carnegie
- Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
Size
Enrollment
579
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 1,025
- Graduate
- 22
- Full-time share
- 99%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$22,750
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 36.25%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $25,261 | $25,261 | $23,258 |
| 2014 | $26,146 | $26,146 | $23,828 |
| 2015 | $27,130 | $27,130 | $23,787 |
| 2016 | $27,103 | $27,103 | $27,142 |
| 2017 | $27,621 | $27,621 | $26,441 |
| 2018 | $28,452 | $28,452 | $26,483 |
| 2019 | $29,313 | $29,313 | $23,784 |
| 2020 | $30,194 | $30,194 | $22,515 |
| 2021 | $31,115 | $31,115 | $24,992 |
| 2022 | $32,048 | $32,048 | $24,495 |
| 2023 | $32,049 | $32,049 | $24,583 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science reported total enrollment of about 579 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 63% male and 37% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (83.8%), Two or More Races (4.5%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (4.2%). About 36.25% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 29.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
98.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science in 2024 is 579 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,025 students. Graduate enrollment is about 22 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
75.2%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
39.22% 100% Completion Time
50.55% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 39.22% of students graduating from Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General: 97% male / 3% female
- Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management: 53% male / 47% female
- Environmental Science: 38% male / 62% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science graduates earn a median of $46,145 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $46,145. Median federal loan debt: $22,750. Average net price used in cost models: $26,683.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science graduates report median earnings of $46,145 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (25 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$34.1M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- New York median 0.90× the median ($38.1M)
- Mid East median 0.80× the median ($42.6M)
- U.S. median 1.3× the median ($26.4M)
- New York median 3.0× the median ($15,424)
- Mid East median 2.8× the median ($16,427)
- U.S. median 3.8× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 84.9%
- New York median 31.1 pp above median (53.8%)
- Mid East median 28.0 pp above median (56.9%)
- U.S. median 27.0 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $6,551
- New York median 0.81× the median ($8,068)
- Mid East median 0.81× the median ($8,119)
- U.S. median 0.86× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,287
- New York median near the median ($10,822)
- Mid East median 1.1× the median ($9,164)
- U.S. median 1.4× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science at a glance
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a private non-profit institution in Paul Smiths, NY, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, GeneralWildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and ManagementEnvironmental Science
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian83.8%Two or More Races4.5%Race/ethnicity unknown4.2%
Schools near Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science
Other campuses in Paul Smiths, NY when available, plus nearby institutions in New York.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C-) within New York, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science located?
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is located in Paul Smiths, NY.
What is Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is 76.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 939 applicants and 852 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's tuition?
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $33,009 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $26,683 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science cost?
Reported tuition is $33,009 and average net price is $26,683 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,236 annually.
Why is Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's net price so much lower than tuition?
At Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science, published tuition is $33,009 while average net price is $26,683—about 19% lower. Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid (College Scorecard). Institutional aid therefore compresses sticker price into a lower typical undergraduate cost signal. The campus average still masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average. EDsmart Data treats the sticker–net gap as an analytical finding, not advice about individual aid offers.
What explains Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($26,683), completion (50.5% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($46,145). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science?
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,025 students, White (83.8%), Two or More Races (4.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science?
About 29.7% of students at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science earn?
Median earnings are $38,325 six years after entry and $46,145 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science?
The 150%-time completion rate is 50.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,750.
Is Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science public or private?
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a private nonprofit institution located in Paul Smiths, NY.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.