Colby College vs. Fisk University

Should I go to Colby College or Fisk University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colby College or Fisk University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Colby College vs. Fisk University comparison
Colby College Fisk University College 3 College 4
Colby College Fisk University
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Overview

Colby College Fisk University
Location Waterville, ME Nashville, TN
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 2,284 1,005
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #37 #600
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colby.edu fisk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Colby College Fisk University
Tuition (In State) $63,790 $22,320
Tuition (Out of State) $63,790 $22,320
Room & Board $17,120 $11,698
Avg Net Price $15,163 $19,836
Avg Grant Aid $66,387 $20,400
% Receiving Grant Aid 42% 96%

Admission

Colby College Fisk University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,786 7,982
Admitted 1,215 4,622
Acceptance Rate 6.8% 57.9%
Enrolled % 49.8% 6.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.86 3.1
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Elite Challenging
Applicant Competition Extreme Low
ACT Range 32/34 20/25
SAT Range 1440/1550 1160/1480
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Colby College Fisk University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Physical Sciences (9%)

Outcomes

Colby College Fisk University
Graduation Rate 91% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $73,400 $35,900
Making Student Loan Payments 88% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,345 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $200 $268

Diversity

Colby College Fisk University
% Men 0% 1%
% Women 0% 4%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 62% 1%
% Black 3% 88%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 1%
% International 11% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 6%

Students

Colby College Fisk University
% In-State 7% 30%
% Out-of-State 79% 57%

Campus

Colby College Fisk University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Colby College is larger than than Fisk University based on total student enrollment (2,284 students vs. 1,005 students)

Colby College vs. Fisk University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Fisk University?

  • Colby College is 185.8% more expensive to attend than Fisk University for in-state tuition ($63,790.00 vs. $22,320.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 185.8% higher at Colby College than Fisk University ($63,790.00 vs. $22,320.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colby College than Fisk University ($15,163 vs. $19,836)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fisk University are 46.3% lower than costs at Colby College ($11,698 vs. $17,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fisk University than Colby College (96% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 225.4% larger than aid received Fisk University ($66,387 vs. $20,400)

Colby College vs. Fisk University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College or Fisk University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Fisk University or Colby College .

  • The average SAT score at Colby College (1363) is 426 points higher than at Fisk University (937)
  • Incoming Colby College students have a 11 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Fisk University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.76 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Fisk University (3.1)
  • Fisk University has a higher acceptance rate (57.9%) than Colby College (6.8%)

Colby College vs. Fisk University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colby College or Fisk University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Fisk University and Colby College.

  • The graduation rate at Colby College is higher than Fisk University (91% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Colby College earn on average $37,500 more per year than Fisk University graduates after ten years. ($73,400 vs. $35,900)
  • Colby College students graduate with a $6,655 lower median federal student loan debt than Fisk University graduates. ($19,345 vs. $26,000)
  • Colby College graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than Fisk University graduates. ($200 vs. $268)
  • More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisk University students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 38%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/