Colby College vs. University of Maine

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with University of Maine in Orono, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maine is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (12,029 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); University of Maine is in Orono, ME (Small Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; University of Maine 15:1.

Colby College vs. University of Maine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or University of Maine? 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 University of Maine ($16,219 vs. $18,061).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maine are 25% lower than at Colby College ($13,410 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 422.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Maine (about $56,274 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $13,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.4% higher at Colby College than at University of Maine (about $32,844 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $36,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maine than at Colby College (98% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 436.1% larger than aid received by University of Maine students ($69,201 vs. $12,909).

Colby College vs. University of Maine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College or University of Maine? 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 University of Maine and Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 310 points higher than at University of Maine (1200).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 26 at University of Maine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; University of Maine 1070/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; University of Maine 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; University of Maine - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at University of Maine (3.42).
• University of Maine has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 15.4% at University of Maine.

Colby College vs. University of Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and University of Maine? 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 University of Maine's (60%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $26,700 more per year than University of Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $6,655 lower median loan debt than University of Maine graduates ($19,345 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Maine graduates ($200 vs. $268).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Maine students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 74%)

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.