Colby College vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Union College 9:1.

Colby College vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Union 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 Union College ($16,219 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 4.9% lower than at Colby College ($17,010 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union College (about $561 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $69,039.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Colby College than at Union College (about $561 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $69,039.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Colby College (96% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 62.7% larger than aid received by Union College students ($69,201 vs. $42,534).

Colby College vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 110 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Colby College vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Union 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 Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $800 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $7,655 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($19,345 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 86%)

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.