Colby College vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colby College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Colby College vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Olin College? 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 Olin College ($16,219 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 14% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($17,890 vs. $20,810).
• Colby College is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $3,202 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Colby College than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $3,202 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Colby College (100% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 59.9% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($69,201 vs. $43,290).

Colby College vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 20 points higher than at Colby College (1510).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Colby College vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $4,635 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($14,710 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($152 vs. $200).

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.