Colby College vs. Babson

Comparable Facts

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

Babson College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (3,932 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Babson College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Babson College 15:1.

Colby College vs. Babson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Babson? 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 Babson ($16,219 vs. $32,019).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 17% lower than at Babson College ($17,890 vs. $21,550).
• Colby College is 21.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $12,448 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.8% higher at Colby College than at Babson College (about $12,448 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colby College than at Babson College (45% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 43.7% larger than aid received by Babson College students ($69,201 vs. $48,173).

Colby College vs. Babson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 50 points higher than at Babson (1460).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Babson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Babson College 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Babson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Babson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Babson Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Babson (3.79).
• Babson has a higher acceptance rate (17.1%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 39% at Babson.

Colby College vs. Babson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Babson? 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 College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Babson College's (90%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $35,100 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $6,655 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($19,345 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($200 vs. $268).
• More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 88%)

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.