Colby College vs. MHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colby College is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Mount Holyoke College is in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Mount Holyoke College 9:1.

Colby College vs. MHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or MHC? 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 MHC ($16,219 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 9.1% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($17,890 vs. $19,684).
• Colby College is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $2,582 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Colby College than at Mount Holyoke College (about $2,582 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Colby College (77% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 32% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($69,201 vs. $52,418).

Colby College vs. MHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 50 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming Colby College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at MHC (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Mount Holyoke College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; MHC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; MHC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 27.2% at MHC.

Colby College vs. MHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and MHC? 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $1,861 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($19,345 vs. $21,206).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($200 vs. $219).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC 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.