Colby College vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (2,733 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); SUNY Polytechnic Institute is in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

Colby College vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or SUNY Poly? 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 SUNY Polytechnic Institute than Colby College ($14,782 vs. $16,219).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 7.3% lower than at Colby College ($16,584 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 707% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $60,975 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 228.1% higher at Colby College than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $48,385 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at Colby College (100% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 728.1% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($69,201 vs. $8,357).

Colby College vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 310 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; SUNY Poly - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

Colby College vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $20,200 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $2,760 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($16,585 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($171 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 63%)

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.