Colby College vs. SUNY Stony Brook

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stony Brook University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Stony Brook University is in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Stony Brook University 19:1.

Colby College vs. SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or SUNY Stony Brook? 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 SUNY Stony Brook ($16,219 vs. $20,992).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 1.7% lower than at Stony Brook University ($17,890 vs. $18,196).
• Colby College is 536.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $58,669 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 112.6% higher at Colby College than at Stony Brook University (about $36,859 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at Colby College (98% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 645.3% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($69,201 vs. $9,285).

Colby College vs. SUNY Stony Brook Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College or SUNY Stony Brook? 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 SUNY Stony Brook and Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 90 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at SUNY Stony Brook).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Stony Brook University 1330/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Stony Brook University 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook.

Colby College vs. SUNY Stony Brook Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and SUNY Stony Brook? 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 Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $345 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook 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 SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 73%)

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.