Colby College vs. City College of New York

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with CUNY City College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY City College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); CUNY City College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; CUNY City College 15:1.

Colby College vs. City College of New York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or City College of New York? 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 CUNY City College than Colby College ($4,664 vs. $16,219).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 5% lower than at CUNY City College ($17,890 vs. $18,840).
• Colby College is 848.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $62,260 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 355.2% higher at Colby College than at CUNY City College (about $54,310 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY City College than at Colby College (88% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 608.8% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($69,201 vs. $9,763).

Colby College vs. City College of New York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College or City College of New York? 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 City College of New York and Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 260 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; CUNY City College 1070/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; City College of New York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• City College of New York has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 12.3% at City College of New York.

Colby College vs. City College of New York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and City College of New York? 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 CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $7,945 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($11,400 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($117 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 52%)

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.