Colby College vs. Barnard

Colby College and Barnard College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colby College
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colby College (7.1% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colby College. Average net price is $16,219 vs $26,407 at Barnard.
  • Graduation: Colby College 91% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colby College $73,400 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
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Key differences

Colby College Barnard College
Acceptance rate
Colby College more selective
Colby College7.1%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Colby College1460-1550
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
Colby College $10,188 less
Colby College$16,219
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
Colby College $288 less
Colby College$69,600
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
Colby College $288 less
Colby College$69,600
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
Barnard +1 pts
Colby College91%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colby College +$6,500
Colby College$73,400
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colby College 19,187
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • Colby College 1,360
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colby College 7.1%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colby College 46.2%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colby College 1510
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colby College 33
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colby College 3.86
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colby College A
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colby College Elite
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Colby College Extreme
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Colby College 1460-1550
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Colby College 32-34
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Colby College Test optional
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colby College Jan 1, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • Colby College $17,890
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • Colby College $16,219
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • Colby College $69,201
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colby College 45%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colby College 91%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colby College $73,400
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colby College 88%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colby College $19,345
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • Colby College $200
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colby College 9:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colby College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Colby College Waterville, ME
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Colby College Remote Town
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colby College 2,412
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • Colby College Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colby College #39
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Barnard College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Barnard College is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 2,412 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Barnard College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Barnard College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 17.6% lower than at Barnard College ($17,890 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Barnard than at Colby College (about $288 more per year; $69,888 vs. $69,600).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colby College than at Barnard College (45% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 9.6% larger than aid received by Barnard College students ($69,201 vs. $63,131).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Colby College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Barnard (33).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colby College and Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colby College average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $1,498 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($17,847 vs. $19,345).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($184 vs. $200).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 88%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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