Colby College vs. Carleton College

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

Colby College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colby College (7.1% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colby College. Average net price is $16,219 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Colby College 91% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colby College $73,400 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Colby College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Colby College more selective
Colby College7.1%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Colby College1460-1550
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Colby College $11,828 less
Colby College$16,219
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Carleton College $708 less
Colby College$69,600
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Carleton College $708 less
Colby College$69,600
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +2 pts
Colby College91%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colby College +$7,800
Colby College$73,400
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colby College 19,187
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Colby College 1,360
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colby College 7.1%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colby College 46.2%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colby College 1510
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colby College 33
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colby College 3.86
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colby College A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colby College Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Colby College Extreme
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Colby College 1460-1550
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Colby College 32-34
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Colby College Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colby College Jan 1, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Colby College $17,890
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Colby College $16,219
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Colby College $69,201
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colby College 45%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colby College 91%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colby College $73,400
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colby College 88%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colby College $19,345
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colby College $200
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colby College 9:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colby College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Colby College Waterville, ME
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Colby College Remote Town
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Colby College 2,412
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Colby College Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colby College #39
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Colby College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 1.7% lower than at Colby College ($17,586 vs. $17,890).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Colby College than at Carleton College (about $708 more per year; $69,600 vs. $68,892).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Colby College (59% vs. 45%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 21.7% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($69,201 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Colby College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Carleton College (33).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colby College and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Colby College (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $155 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($19,345 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($200 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College 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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