Colby College vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Colby College vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($16,219 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 1.9% lower than at Vassar College ($17,890 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colby College (about $1,430 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Vassar than at Colby College (about $1,430 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Colby College (55% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($69,201 vs. $57,443).

Colby College vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 10 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Vassar 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have the same average high school GPA (3.86) as students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Colby College vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Vassar? 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).

• The graduation rate at Colby College is the same as at Vassar College (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $3,565 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($15,780 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($163 vs. $200).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.