Colby College vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Northeastern University in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

Colby College vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Northeastern? 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 Northeastern ($16,219 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 8.6% lower than at Northeastern University ($17,890 vs. $19,580).
• Colby College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $3,438 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Colby College than at Northeastern University (about $3,438 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Colby College (66% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 37.2% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($69,201 vs. $50,421).

Colby College vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 20 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northeastern 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; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Colby College has a higher acceptance rate (7.1%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

Colby College vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Northeastern? 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 Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $8,530 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($19,345 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($200 vs. $288).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 79%)

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.