Yale vs. Colby College

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Colby College in Waterville, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Yale University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Colby College is in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Colby College 9:1.

Yale vs. Colby College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale ($16,219 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 10.1% lower than at Yale University ($17,890 vs. $19,900).
• Colby College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Yale (about $2,350 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Colby College than at Yale University (about $2,350 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Colby College (56% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 5% larger than aid received by Yale University students ($69,201 vs. $65,892).

Yale vs. Colby College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 10 points higher than at Colby College (1510).
• Incoming Yale 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: Yale University 1470/1570; Colby College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Colby College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Colby College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Colby College has a higher acceptance rate (7.1%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 46.2% at Colby College.

Yale vs. Colby College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $45,000 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $5,845 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($13,500 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($139 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 84%)

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.