Colby College vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Providence College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Providence College 11:1.

Colby College vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Providence? 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 Providence ($16,219 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 0.3% lower than at Colby College ($17,840 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 9.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $6,050 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at Colby College than at Providence College (about $6,050 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Colby College (83% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 117.1% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($69,201 vs. $31,873).

Colby College vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 190 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Colby College vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Providence? 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 Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $7,655 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($19,345 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 80%)

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.