Colby College vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Williams College 6:1.

Colby College vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Williams? 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 Williams College than Colby College ($15,894 vs. $16,219).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 3.5% lower than at Colby College ($17,260 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Williams (about $1,040 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Colby College than at Williams College (about $1,040 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $68,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Colby College (54% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Williams College students ($69,201 vs. $68,966).

Colby College vs. Williams Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Colby College (1510).
• Incoming Williams 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; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Williams has a higher acceptance rate (8.3%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 43% at Williams.

Colby College vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $4,763 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($14,582 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($150 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

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.