Fisher College
Fisher College is a private nonprofit university in Boston, MA ranked #1915 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of D-, enrolling about 1,167 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 70.7%. Students most often pursue Health and Medical Administrative Services and Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Inside the classroom, students benefit from a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, 54.6% first-year retention, and 27.8% six-year graduation. Faculty pair challenging syllabi with intentional mentoring so learners keep momentum even as expectations rise.
Families typically invest $26,649, about $9,651 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -58.4%, roughly 143.7 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $44,366. That's about $678 higher than national results. Expect the strongest outcomes for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Fisher College Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Fisher College graduates 27.8% of students within six years and keeps 54.6% of first-year students. Affordability earns a B- compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Fisher College's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $35,689 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,000 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $18,041 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $3,200 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $53,921 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 39.7% of Fisher College students receive Pell Grants — in line with the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $25,071 to $30,661 depending on family income. Use Fisher College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $26,511/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $30,661/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $44,366
- 10-Year Median Earnings $44,366
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $12,500
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 44.1%
- Employment Rate 14.9%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Fisher College graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Fisher College vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Fisher College's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Fisher College's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Fisher College graduates earn $44,366 median, the -58.4% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
- SAT Math Not reported
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACTNot required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 1,167
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 54.6%
- Graduation Rate 27.8%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 14:1
How to Get Into Fisher College
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Fisher College requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 70.7%, Fisher College is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 70.7% acceptance rate, Fisher College is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Fisher College undergraduates. Human Services, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations, and Criminal Justice and Corrections draw the most students.
- Human Services, General 18.9%
- Business Administration, Management and Operations 16.6%
- Criminal Justice and Corrections 12.9%
- Health and Medical Administrative Services 7.8%
- Psychology, General 6.5%
- Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Op 6.5%
See more majors
- Communication and Media Studies 6.0%
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing 5.5%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Health and Medical Administrative Services $68,323
- 2. Business Administration, Management and Operations $66,674
- 3. Health and Medical Administrative Services $62,413
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Health and Medical Administrative Services $50,338
- 5. Business Administration, Management and Operations $48,727
- 6. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities $48,454
- 7. Human Services, General $45,881
- 8. Criminal Justice and Corrections $45,695
- 9. Psychology, General $36,873
- 10. Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations $36,306
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Health and Medical Administrative Services grads earn $68,323—88% more than Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations ($36,306). Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard does not list any fully online degree programs for Fisher College. This institution may offer hybrid or partially online courses, but no fully online degree programs are reported in the latest data release.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 1,167
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 47.6%
- Female Students 52.4%
- Caucasian 25.7%
- Asian 2.5%
- Hispanic 22.2%
- Black 11.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients 39.7%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Fisher College's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Fisher College's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Fisher College support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Fisher College, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Fisher College has a diverse student body, with 25.7% identifying as White.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Fisher College support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Fisher College, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Fisher College offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -58.4% ROI. Ranked #1915 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $26,649 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $44,366 median earnings. With 27.8% graduating within six years and 54.6% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Fisher College's Positioning
With a D- grade and #1915 ranking, Fisher College competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $26,649 annually, Fisher College charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 54.6% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $18,654 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The -58.4% ROI and $44,366 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $16,649+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Fisher College ranks #1915 of 1942 institutions, with 1368 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 27.8% six-year graduation rate sits 34.8 points below the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 54.6% first-year retention is 22.2 points below the national norm of 76.8%.
- -58.4% return on investment is 143.7 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $44,366 run about 2% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $26,649 is roughly $6,632 higher than the national median of $20,018.
Helpfulness for Students
- 14:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 54.6% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 14.9% employment rate within three years sits 53.3 points below national outcomes.
- Average net price of $26,649 is about $6,632 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Boston, MA, Fisher College operates as a private nonprofit university and receives a D- from EDsmart. It stands at #1915 among 1942 schools Grades by category break down as Completion C-, Support C, Career Outcomes D-, and Affordability B-.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
54.6% of learners come back after year one while 27.8% complete the degree within six years. EDsmart calculates the ROI at -58.4%, offering a quick value checkpoint.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $26,649 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $53,921.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $27,272 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $12,500 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 39.7% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Graduates report median earnings of about $44,366 six years after entry. That sits about 2% above the national median.
Employment outcomes report about 14.9% of alumni working within three years.
Plan around an ROI of about -58.4% according to the Scorecard data.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
70.7% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Fisher College admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Boston, MA 02116
- Website www.fisher.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationNew England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
- Transfer Enrollment Rate45.9%