Colby College vs. Smith College

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Smith College is in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Smith College 8:1.

Colby College vs. Smith College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Smith College? 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 Smith College ($16,219 vs. $27,305).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 20.7% lower than at Smith College ($17,890 vs. $22,570).
• Colby College is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Smith College (about $4,422 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at Colby College than at Smith College (about $4,422 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $65,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Colby College (67% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 17.8% larger than aid received by Smith College students ($69,201 vs. $58,725).

Colby College vs. Smith College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 30 points higher than at Smith College (1480).
• Incoming Colby College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Smith College (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Smith College 1420/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Smith College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Smith College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Smith College has a higher acceptance rate (21%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

Colby College vs. Smith College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Smith College? 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 Smith College's (85%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $24,500 more per year than Smith College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Smith College graduates have a $345 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Smith College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($196 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College 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.