Colby College vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

Colby College vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or UMass? 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 UMass ($16,219 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 6.6% lower than at Colby College ($16,710 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 291.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $51,828 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.1% higher at Colby College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $29,151 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Colby College (81% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 427.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($69,201 vs. $13,110).

Colby College vs. UMass Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 100 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 17.9% at UMass.

Colby College vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and UMass? 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 Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $4,655 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($19,345 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($200 vs. $248).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 76%)

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.