Colby College vs. Amherst

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colby College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Colby College vs. Amherst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Amherst? 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 College than Amherst ($16,219 vs. $19,049).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 2.7% lower than at Amherst College ($17,890 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colby College (about $880 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Amherst than at Colby College (about $880 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Colby College (59% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Amherst College students ($69,201 vs. $68,591).

Colby College vs. Amherst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College or Amherst? 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 Amherst and Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 30 points higher than at Colby College (1510).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colby College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Amherst College 1490/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Amherst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Amherst has a higher acceptance rate (9%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Colby College vs. Amherst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Amherst? 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).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $6,370 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($12,975 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($134 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

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.