Colby College vs. Tufts

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Tufts University is in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Tufts University 10:1.

Colby College vs. Tufts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Tufts? 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 Tufts ($16,219 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 3.8% lower than at Tufts University ($17,890 vs. $18,588).
• Tufts University is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colby College (about $1,104 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Tufts than at Colby College (about $1,104 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colby College than at Tufts University (45% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 23.7% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($69,201 vs. $55,933).

Colby College vs. Tufts Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 10 points higher than at Colby College (1510).
• Incoming Tufts 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; Tufts University 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Tufts University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Tufts - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Tufts Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Tufts has a higher acceptance rate (11.5%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 45.5% at Tufts.

Colby College vs. Tufts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Tufts? 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 Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $1,345 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($18,000 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($186 vs. $200).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 88%)

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.