Head-to-Head Comparison
Bates College vs Colby College
- Bates Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 11
- Colby Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Bates College achieves a higher graduation rate (90% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,351 compared to Colby College's $17,180 for in-state paths. Students who choose Colby College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $80,490 at ten years.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Bates
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,275, the lower of the two
Colby
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $80,490 ten years after enrollment, 16% more than Bates College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,180, roughly $12,171 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 0.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bates graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (26% of degrees); Colby in Social Sciences (28%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Colby College over Bates College. Median earnings of $80,490 ten years after enrollment vs $69,498.
Pick Colby College over Bates College. Net price $17,180 vs $29,351.
Pick Colby College over Bates College. 0.9% mobility rate vs 0.8%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bates College and Colby College are close on paper, but Colby College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Colby College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while Bates College takes 13%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,468 to 1,501.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Colby College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Colby College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,180, about $12,171 a year below Bates College's $29,351. Graduates of Bates College also borrow less: median debt of $14,275, against $19,157.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $48,684 before any change in aid. Choosing Colby College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Colby College graduates report median earnings of $80,490, compared with $69,498 at Bates College. That is a 16% advantage. Set against borrowing, Bates College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 16% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Colby College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 0.9%; at Bates College, it is 0.8%. Bates College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 1.8% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Colby College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Colby College to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,351 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,157, against $14,275 at Bates College.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bates offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Colby does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
The Overviews
Bates College
Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of about 1,760 students and a remarkably low acceptance rate of 13%, Bates College is an excellent choice for those who thrive in a tight-knit academic community. This college appeals to students who are passionate about fields like Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, and English, among others. The high graduation rate of 90% speaks volumes about the support and resources available to students as they navigate their academic paths.
After graduation, Bates alumni see an impressive average earning of $69,498 within ten years, which highlights the value of a degree from this institution. While the college's Pell Grant rate is at 12%, it's essential to recognize that many students experience upward mobility, even if specific mobility data isn't available. This speaks to the strong foundation that Bates provides for students to build successful careers.
When it comes to the financial aspects, the net price after aid is approximately $29,351, which is manageable considering the median debt of $14,275. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and eager to engage with both their peers and faculty. The supportive environment at Bates encourages personal growth and academic achievement, making it a solid investment in one's future.
Colby College
Waterville, ME · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 7%, Colby College is tailored for students who thrive in a highly selective environment and are eager to dive into topics like Social Sciences, Psychology, Biology, and Computer Science. It’s a small community of about 2,407 students, making it easier to form close connections with peers and professors alike. Those who choose Colby are often passionate about their fields and want to engage deeply in their studies.
Looking at life after graduation, alumni report impressive earnings, with a 10-year median income of $80,490. This suggests that a Colby education can lead to solid financial outcomes, helping graduates secure well-paying jobs. The affordability factor is also notable; with a net price of $17,180, many students find that they can graduate without being burdened by excessive debt, as the median debt sits at $19,157. This balance helps foster mobility for those who want to move up in their careers.
The numbers tell a clear story: Colby is not just about getting a degree but about setting up students for success in the real world. While 14% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that support is available for those who need it, the overall environment tends to attract highly motivated individuals. Those who thrive here share a commitment to their studies and benefit from both a strong academic foundation and a supportive community.
Rankings They Appear On
Bates College and Colby College appear together in 10 rankings. On the Best Biology Colleges in Maine, Bates College ranks #2 — Bates College outranks Colby College by 1 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 26% of Bates's student body and 28% of Colby's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Bates) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colby).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bates College is strongest in Physical Sciences, while Colby College concentrates in Computer Science & IT. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Bates College or Colby College?
Colby College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 13% at Bates College.
Which is more affordable, Bates College or Colby College?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $29,351 at Bates College.
Do Bates College or Colby College graduates earn more?
Colby College graduates earn more: median earnings of $80,490 ten years after enrollment, versus $69,498 at Bates College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bates College or Colby College?
Bates College has the higher graduation rate, 90% versus 89%.
Bates College vs Colby College: which is better for social mobility?
Colby College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 0.9% versus 0.8%.
Should you choose Bates College or Colby College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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