Colby College vs. Davidson

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colby College vs. Davidson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Davidson? 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 Davidson ($16,219 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davidson College are 4.4% lower than at Colby College ($17,100 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $5,190 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Colby College than at Davidson College (about $5,190 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at Colby College (65% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 33.7% larger than aid received by Davidson College students ($69,201 vs. $51,755).

Colby College vs. Davidson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 40 points higher than at Davidson (1470).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Davidson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Davidson College 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Davidson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Davidson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• Davidson has a higher acceptance rate (13.4%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

Colby College vs. Davidson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Davidson graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $63,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $2,345 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($175 vs. $200).
• More Davidson 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.