Colby College vs. Dartmouth

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dartmouth College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Dartmouth College is in Hanover, NH (Remote Town setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dartmouth College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Dartmouth College 7:1.

Colby College vs. Dartmouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Dartmouth? 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 Dartmouth ($16,219 vs. $20,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 10.5% lower than at Dartmouth College ($17,890 vs. $19,999).
• Colby College is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dartmouth (about $1,332 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $68,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Colby College than at Dartmouth College (about $1,332 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $68,268.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dartmouth College than at Colby College (47% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Dartmouth College students ($69,201 vs. $67,471).

Colby College vs. Dartmouth Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dartmouth College (1540) is 30 points higher than at Colby College (1510).
• Incoming Dartmouth 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; Dartmouth College 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Dartmouth College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Dartmouth - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dartmouth students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Colby College has a higher acceptance rate (7.1%) than Dartmouth (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 69.1% at Dartmouth.

Colby College vs. Dartmouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dartmouth College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $30,600 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $5,884 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($13,461 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($139 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dartmouth students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 87%)

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.