Colby College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Colby College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore ($16,219 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 11.9% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,890 vs. $20,308).
• Colby College is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $4,106 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Colby College than at Swarthmore College (about $4,106 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Colby College (57% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 12.3% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($69,201 vs. $61,634).

Colby College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Colby College (1510).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colby College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Swarthmore has a higher acceptance rate (7.5%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Colby College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Swarthmore? 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).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $155 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($19,345 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($200 vs. $201).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 87%)

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.