Colby College vs. Simmons University

Should I go to Colby College or Simmons University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colby College or Simmons University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Colby College vs. Simmons University comparison
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Colby College Simmons University
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Overview

Colby College Simmons University
Location Waterville, ME Boston, MA
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 2,299 5,710
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #44 #108
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colby.edu simmons.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Colby College Simmons University
Tuition (In State) $60,840 $43,060
Tuition (Out of State) $60,840 $43,060
Room & Board $16,330 $16,368
Avg Net Price $16,951 $24,423
Avg Grant Aid $61,714 $36,606
% Receiving Grant Aid 41% 100%

Admission

Colby College Simmons University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,890 4,001
Admitted 1,286 3,059
Acceptance Rate 7.6% 76.5%
Enrolled % 52.3% 12.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.86 3.87
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Elite Very High
Applicant Competition Extreme
ACT Range 32/34 28/32
SAT Range 1430/1540 1200/1390
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Colby College Simmons University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

Colby College Simmons University
Graduation Rate 91% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $73,400 $52,800
Making Student Loan Payments 88% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,345 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $200 $268

Diversity

Colby College Simmons University
% Men 48% 8%
% Women 52% 92%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 67%
% Black 3% 7%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 11% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 4%

Students

Colby College Simmons University
% In-State 7% 52%
% Out-of-State 79% 41%

Campus

Colby College Simmons University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Simmons University is larger than than Colby College based on total student enrollment (5,710 students vs. 2,299 students)

Colby College vs. Simmons University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Simmons University?

  • Colby College is 41.3% more expensive to attend than Simmons University for in-state tuition ($60,840.00 vs. $43,060.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 41.3% higher at Colby College than Simmons University ($60,840.00 vs. $43,060.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colby College than Simmons University ($16,951 vs. $24,423)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 0.2% lower than costs at Simmons University ($16,330 vs. $16,368)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Simmons University than Colby College (100% vs. 41%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 68.6% larger than aid received Simmons University ($61,714 vs. $36,606)

Colby College vs. Simmons University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College or Simmons University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Simmons University or Colby College .

  • The average SAT score at Colby College (1363) is 200 points higher than at Simmons University (1163)
  • Incoming Colby College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Simmons University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Simmons University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Colby College (3.86)
  • Simmons University has a higher acceptance rate (76.5%) than Colby College (7.6%)

Colby College vs. Simmons University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colby College or Simmons University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Simmons University and Colby College.

  • The graduation rate at Colby College is higher than Simmons University (91% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from Colby College earn on average $20,600 more per year than Simmons University graduates after ten years. ($73,400 vs. $52,800)
  • Colby College students graduate with a $6,655 lower median federal student loan debt than Simmons University graduates. ($19,345 vs. $26,000)
  • Colby College graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than Simmons University graduates. ($200 vs. $268)
  • More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simmons University 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/