Colby College vs. Bentley

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

Colby College
Bentley University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colby College (7.1% admitted vs 45.1%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1360.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colby College. Average net price is $16,219 vs $45,802 at Bentley.
  • Graduation: Colby College 91% vs Bentley 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colby College $73,400 vs Bentley $87,200 (median).
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Key differences

Colby College Bentley University
Acceptance rate
Colby College more selective
Colby College7.1%
Bentley45.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colby College higher
Colby College1460-1550
Bentley1280-1430
Average net price
Colby College $29,583 less
Colby College$16,219
Bentley$45,802
In-state tuition
Bentley $8,600 less
Colby College$69,600
Bentley$61,000
Out-of-state tuition
Bentley $8,600 less
Colby College$69,600
Bentley$61,000
Graduation rate
Colby College +3 pts
Colby College91%
Bentley88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bentley +$13,800
Colby College$73,400
Bentley$87,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colby College 19,187
  • Bentley 11,012
  • Admitted
  • Colby College 1,360
  • Bentley 4,961
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colby College 7.1%
  • Bentley 45.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colby College 46.2%
  • Bentley 21.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colby College 1510
  • Bentley 1360
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colby College 33
  • Bentley 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colby College 3.86
  • Bentley 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colby College A
  • Bentley A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colby College Elite
  • Bentley Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Colby College Extreme
  • Bentley Low
  • SAT range
  • Colby College 1460-1550
  • Bentley 1280-1430
  • ACT range
  • Colby College 32-34
  • Bentley 28-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Colby College Test optional
  • Bentley Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colby College Jan 1, 2027
  • Bentley Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Bentley $61,000
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Bentley $61,000
  • Room & board
  • Colby College $17,890
  • Bentley $20,140
  • Average net price
  • Colby College $16,219
  • Bentley $45,802
  • Average grant aid
  • Colby College $69,201
  • Bentley $33,673
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colby College 45%
  • Bentley 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colby College 91%
  • Bentley 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colby College $73,400
  • Bentley $87,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colby College 88%
  • Bentley 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colby College $19,345
  • Bentley $26,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colby College $200
  • Bentley $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colby College 9:1
  • Bentley 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colby College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Bentley
    • Business (83%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (3%)
    • Mathematics (1%)
    • General Studies (1%)
  • Location
  • Colby College Waterville, ME
  • Bentley Waltham, MA
  • Setting
  • Colby College Remote Town
  • Bentley Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colby College 2,412
  • Bentley 5,333
  • Type
  • Colby College Private 4 Year
  • Bentley Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colby College #39
  • Bentley #107

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Bentley University in Waltham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bentley University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 2,412 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Bentley University is in Waltham, MA (Small City setting).
  • Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Bentley University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 11.2% lower than at Bentley University ($17,890 vs. $20,140).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at Colby College than at Bentley University (about $8,600 more per year; $69,600 vs. $61,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Colby College (88% vs. 45%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 105.5% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($69,201 vs. $33,673).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Colby College than at Bentley (33 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colby College and Bentley.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Bentley Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colby College average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Bentley (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 21.3% at Bentley.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $7,155 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($19,345 vs. $26,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($200 vs. $274).
  • More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation (92% 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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