Colby College vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Colby College vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College ($16,219 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 2.1% lower than at Colby College ($17,510 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamilton College (about $640 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Colby College than at Hamilton College (about $640 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Colby College (56% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 24.7% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($69,201 vs. $55,511).

Colby College vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 10 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colby College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Colby College vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Hamilton 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $3,585 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($15,760 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($162 vs. $200).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.