Oxy vs. Colby College

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Colby College in Waterville, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colby College is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Colby College is in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Colby College 9:1.

Oxy vs. Colby College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy or Colby 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 Colby College than Oxy ($16,219 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 7.1% lower than at Occidental College ($17,890 vs. $19,252).
• Colby College is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $3,326 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Colby College than at Occidental College (about $3,326 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Colby College (75% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 90.1% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($69,201 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Colby College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 60 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Colby College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Colby College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Colby College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 46.2% at Colby College.

Oxy vs. Colby College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy and Colby 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $4,307 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($19,345 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($200 vs. $244).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 87%)

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.