Colby Community College vs. Independence Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby Community College in Colby, KS with Independence Community College in Independence, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colby Community College is larger than Independence Community College based on total student enrollment (1,409 students vs. 764 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby Community College is located in Colby, KS (Remote Town setting); Independence Community College is in Independence, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Colby Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Independence Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby Community College 18:1; Independence Community College 16:1.

Colby Community College vs. Independence Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby Community College or Independence Community College? 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 Independence Community College than Colby Community College ($3,738 vs. $9,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Independence Community College are 15.9% lower than at Colby Community College ($7,200 vs. $8,562).
• Independence Community College is 10.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colby Community College (about $450 more per year; $4,740.00 vs. $4,290.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at Colby Community College than at Independence Community College (about $880 more per year; $5,830.00 vs. $4,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Independence Community College than at Colby Community College (90% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Independence Community College students is 12.7% larger than aid received by Colby Community College students ($7,549 vs. $6,700).

Colby Community College vs. Independence Community College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby Community College - Open admission; Independence Community College - Open admission.

Colby Community College vs. Independence Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby Community College and Independence Community College? 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).

• Graduates from Colby Community College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Independence Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $29,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Independence Community College graduates have a $1,303 lower median loan debt than Colby Community College graduates ($5,197 vs. $6,500).
• Among borrowers, Independence Community College graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby Community College graduates ($53 vs. $67).
• More Colby Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Independence Community College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 37%)

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.