Colby College vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Fordham University in Bronx, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fordham University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colby College vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Fordham? 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 Fordham ($16,219 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 25.7% lower than at Fordham University ($17,890 vs. $24,090).
• Colby College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $4,685 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Colby College than at Fordham University (about $4,685 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Colby College (95% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 92.3% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($69,201 vs. $35,988).

Colby College vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 110 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Colby College vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Fordham? 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $6,655 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($19,345 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($200 vs. $268).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 77%)

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.