Colby College vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Boston College is in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Boston College 10:1.

Colby College vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or BC? 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 BC ($16,219 vs. $32,519).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 5.4% lower than at Boston College ($17,890 vs. $18,916).
• Boston College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colby College (about $1,102 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at BC than at Colby College (about $1,102 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colby College than at Boston College (45% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 21.5% larger than aid received by Boston College students ($69,201 vs. $56,971).

Colby College vs. BC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 20 points higher than at BC (1490).
• Incoming BC 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; Boston College 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Boston College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; BC Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have the same average high school GPA (3.86) as students at BC (3.86).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (16.4%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 43.5% at BC.

Colby College vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Colby College is the same as at Boston College (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $345 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($196 vs. $200).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.