Colby College vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Colby College vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Emerson? 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 Emerson ($16,219 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 14.5% lower than at Emerson College ($17,890 vs. $20,920).
• Colby College is 22% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $12,544 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22% higher at Colby College than at Emerson College (about $12,544 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Colby College (77% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 156.3% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($69,201 vs. $26,997).

Colby College vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 160 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Colby College vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Emerson? 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 Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $4,155 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($19,345 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($200 vs. $242).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 80%)

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.