Colby College vs. University of Southern Maine

Should I go to Colby College or University of Southern Maine? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colby College or University of Southern Maine is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Colby College vs. University of Southern Maine comparison
Colby College University of Southern Maine College 3 College 4
Colby College University of Southern Maine
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Overview

Colby College University of Southern Maine
Location Waterville, ME Portland, ME
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 2,284 7,528
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #37 #685
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colby.edu maine.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Colby College University of Southern Maine
Tuition (In State) $63,790 $8,316
Tuition (Out of State) $63,790 $24,500
Room & Board $17,120 $11,650
Avg Net Price $15,163 $12,006
Avg Grant Aid $66,387 $10,158
% Receiving Grant Aid 42% 95%

Admission

Colby College University of Southern Maine
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,786 5,823
Admitted 1,215 4,618
Acceptance Rate 6.8% 79.3%
Enrolled % 49.8% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.86 3.33
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Average
Applicant Competition Extreme
ACT Range 32/34 23/26
SAT Range 1440/1550 995/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2026

Academics

Colby College University of Southern Maine
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Colby College University of Southern Maine
Graduation Rate 91% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $73,400 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 88% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,345 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $200 $232

Diversity

Colby College University of Southern Maine
% Men 0% 6%
% Women 0% 21%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 82%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 11% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 5%

Students

Colby College University of Southern Maine
% In-State 7% 66%
% Out-of-State 79% 32%

Campus

Colby College University of Southern Maine
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Southern Maine is larger than than Colby College based on total student enrollment (7,528 students vs. 2,284 students)

Colby College vs. University of Southern Maine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or University of Southern Maine?

  • Colby College is 667.1% more expensive to attend than University of Southern Maine for in-state tuition ($63,790.00 vs. $8,316.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 160.4% higher at Colby College than University of Southern Maine ($63,790.00 vs. $24,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Southern Maine than Colby College ($12,006 vs. $15,163)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Maine are 47% lower than costs at Colby College ($11,650 vs. $17,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Southern Maine than Colby College (95% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 553.5% larger than aid received University of Southern Maine ($66,387 vs. $10,158)

Colby College vs. University of Southern Maine Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College or University of Southern Maine? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Southern Maine or Colby College .

  • The average SAT score at Colby College (1363) is 379 points higher than at University of Southern Maine (984)
  • Incoming Colby College students have a 9 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at University of Southern Maine (22)
  • Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at University of Southern Maine (3.33)
  • University of Southern Maine has a higher acceptance rate (79.3%) than Colby College (6.8%)

Colby College vs. University of Southern Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colby College or University of Southern Maine? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Southern Maine and Colby College.

  • The graduation rate at Colby College is higher than University of Southern Maine (91% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Colby College earn on average $30,800 more per year than University of Southern Maine graduates after ten years. ($73,400 vs. $42,600)
  • Colby College students graduate with a $3,155 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Southern Maine graduates. ($19,345 vs. $22,500)
  • Colby College graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than University of Southern Maine graduates. ($200 vs. $232)
  • More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Maine students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/