Colby College vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Colby College vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or RPI? 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 RPI ($16,219 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 1.3% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,890 vs. $18,120).
• Colby College is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $5,519 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Colby College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $5,519 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Colby College (95% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 59% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($69,201 vs. $43,517).

Colby College vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 70 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Colby College vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and RPI? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $8,155 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($19,345 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($200 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.