Colby College vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Bryn Mawr College is in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Bryn Mawr College 8:1.

Colby College vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr ($16,219 vs. $33,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 7.8% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($17,890 vs. $19,400).
• Colby College is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryn Mawr (about $3,680 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Colby College than at Bryn Mawr College (about $3,680 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Mawr College than at Colby College (72% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 38.3% larger than aid received by Bryn Mawr College students ($69,201 vs. $50,029).

Colby College vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 110 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Bryn Mawr (3.85).
• Bryn Mawr has a higher acceptance rate (29.4%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

Colby College vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College's (87%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Bryn Mawr graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $61,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $6,655 lower median loan debt than Bryn Mawr graduates ($19,345 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($200 vs. $268).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 79%)

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.