Colby College vs. Brandeis University

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

Colby College
Brandeis University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colby College (7.1% admitted vs 40.5%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colby College. Average net price is $16,219 vs $43,550 at Brandeis University.
  • Graduation: Colby College 91% vs Brandeis University 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colby College $73,400 vs Brandeis University $66,700 (median).
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Key differences

Colby College Brandeis University
Acceptance rate
Colby College more selective
Colby College7.1%
Brandeis University40.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colby College higher
Colby College1460-1550
Brandeis University1390-1520
Average net price
Colby College $27,331 less
Colby College$16,219
Brandeis University$43,550
In-state tuition
Brandeis University $1,520 less
Colby College$69,600
Brandeis University$68,080
Out-of-state tuition
Brandeis University $1,520 less
Colby College$69,600
Brandeis University$68,080
Graduation rate
Colby College +0 pts
Colby College91%
Brandeis University91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colby College +$6,700
Colby College$73,400
Brandeis University$66,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colby College 19,187
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Admitted
  • Colby College 1,360
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colby College 7.1%
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colby College 46.2%
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colby College 1510
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colby College 33
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colby College 3.86
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colby College A
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colby College Elite
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Colby College Extreme
  • Brandeis University Low
  • SAT range
  • Colby College 1460-1550
  • Brandeis University 1390-1520
  • ACT range
  • Colby College 32-34
  • Brandeis University 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Colby College Test optional
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colby College Jan 1, 2027
  • Brandeis University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Room & board
  • Colby College $17,890
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Average net price
  • Colby College $16,219
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Average grant aid
  • Colby College $69,201
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colby College 45%
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colby College 91%
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colby College $73,400
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colby College 88%
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colby College $19,345
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Colby College $200
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colby College 9:1
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colby College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Colby College Waterville, ME
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Setting
  • Colby College Remote Town
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colby College 2,412
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Type
  • Colby College Private 4 Year
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colby College #39
  • Brandeis University #91

Comparable Facts

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

Brandeis University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (5,205 students vs. 2,412 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Brandeis University is in Waltham, MA (Small City setting).
  • Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Brandeis University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 10.3% lower than at Brandeis University ($17,890 vs. $19,944).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Colby College than at Brandeis University (about $1,520 more per year; $69,600 vs. $68,080).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at Colby College (62% vs. 45%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 61.5% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($69,201 vs. $42,841).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Colby College than at Brandeis University (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colby College and Brandeis University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colby College average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Brandeis University (3.84).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 17.3% at Brandeis University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $7,655 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($19,345 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($200 vs. $279).
  • More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 82%).

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

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