Colby College vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Colby College vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College ($16,219 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 1.7% lower than at Colby College ($17,586 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carleton College (about $708 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Colby College than at Carleton College (about $708 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Colby College (59% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 21.7% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($69,201 vs. $56,846).

Colby College vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is the same as at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Colby College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Carleton College (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Colby College vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $155 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($19,345 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($200 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.