Colby College vs. Williams

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

Colby College
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colby College (7.1% admitted vs 8.3%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $16,219 at Colby College vs $15,894 at Williams. Colby College in-state tuition is about $1,040 more per year.
  • Graduation: Colby College 91% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colby College $73,400 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Colby College Williams College
Acceptance rate
Colby College more selective
Colby College7.1%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Colby College1460-1550
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
About even
Colby College$16,219
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
Williams $1,040 less
Colby College$69,600
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
Williams $1,040 less
Colby College$69,600
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Williams +4 pts
Colby College91%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$200
Colby College$73,400
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colby College 19,187
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • Colby College 1,360
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colby College 7.1%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colby College 46.2%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colby College 1510
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colby College 33
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colby College 3.86
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colby College A
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colby College Elite
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Colby College Extreme
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Colby College 1460-1550
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • Colby College 32-34
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Colby College Test optional
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colby College Jan 1, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • Colby College $17,890
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • Colby College $16,219
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • Colby College $69,201
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colby College 45%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colby College 91%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colby College $73,400
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colby College 88%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colby College $19,345
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • Colby College $200
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colby College 9:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colby College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Colby College Waterville, ME
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • Colby College Remote Town
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Colby College 2,412
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • Colby College Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colby College #39
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 3.5% lower than at Colby College ($17,260 vs. $17,890).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Colby College than at Williams College (about $1,040 more per year; $69,600 vs. $68,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Colby College (54% vs. 45%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Williams College students ($69,201 vs. $68,966).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Williams than at Colby College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colby College and Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Colby College (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $4,763 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($14,582 vs. $19,345).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($150 vs. $200).
  • More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 83%).

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

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