Colby College vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Colby College vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin ($16,219 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 8.3% lower than at Oberlin College ($17,890 vs. $19,510).
• Colby College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $2,234 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Colby College than at Oberlin College (about $2,234 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Colby College (99% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 93.4% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($69,201 vs. $35,780).

Colby College vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 70 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Colby College vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Oberlin? 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 Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $29,500 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $7,234 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($19,345 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($200 vs. $274).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 82%)

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.