Colby College vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colby College vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley ($16,219 vs. $22,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 14.9% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,890 vs. $21,024).
• Colby College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $2,424 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Colby College than at Wellesley College (about $2,424 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Colby College (54% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Wellesley College students ($69,201 vs. $64,116).

Colby College vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is the same as at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Wellesley 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; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have the same average high school GPA (3.86) as students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Colby College vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $10,445 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($8,900 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($92 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley 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.