Colby College vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colby College is larger than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1.

Colby College vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($16,219 vs. $30,701).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) are 9.4% lower than at Colby College ($16,200 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (about $5,640 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $63,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.8% higher at Colby College than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (about $5,640 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $63,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Colby College (99% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 42.2% larger than aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students ($69,201 vs. $48,666).

Colby College vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 200 points higher than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (3.48).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

Colby College vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s (77%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $6,655 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($19,345 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($200 vs. $268).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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.