Colby College vs. Brown

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Brown University in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brown University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Brown University 6:1.

Colby College vs. Brown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Brown? 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 Brown ($16,219 vs. $26,256).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 2.5% lower than at Colby College ($17,444 vs. $17,890).
• Brown University is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colby College (about $1,812 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Brown than at Colby College (about $1,812 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brown University than at Colby College (52% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 12.7% larger than aid received by Brown University students ($69,201 vs. $61,392).

Colby College vs. Brown Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brown University (1550) is 40 points higher than at Colby College (1510).
• Incoming Brown 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; Brown University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Brown University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Brown - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Brown students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Colby College has a higher acceptance rate (7.1%) than Brown (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Colby College vs. Brown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Brown University's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Brown University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,600 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $4,345 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($155 vs. $200).
• More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.