Colby College vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Colby College vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Purchase 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 Purchase College ($16,219 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 8.1% lower than at Colby College ($16,436 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 677.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $60,647 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 262.4% higher at Colby College than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $50,397 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Colby College (72% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 563.4% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($69,201 vs. $10,432).

Colby College vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 230 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Colby College vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $33,200 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $3,155 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($19,345 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($200 vs. $232).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 65%)

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.