Colby College vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

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

Middlebury College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (2,803 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Colby College vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury ($16,219 vs. $26,233).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 7.1% lower than at Middlebury College ($17,890 vs. $19,250).
• Colby College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middlebury (about $2,000 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Colby College than at Middlebury College (about $2,000 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Middlebury College than at Colby College (47% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 16% larger than aid received by Middlebury College students ($69,201 vs. $59,647).

Colby College vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 10 points higher than at Middlebury (1500).
• Incoming Middlebury 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; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Middlebury students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Middlebury has a higher acceptance rate (10.7%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Colby College vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College's (90%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Middlebury graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $72,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middlebury College graduates have a $3,456 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($15,889 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Middlebury graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($164 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middlebury students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.