Head-to-Head Comparison
Bentley University vs Colby College
- Bentley Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 14
- Colby Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,180 vs Bentley University's $37,930, Colby College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Colby College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Bentley
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment, 50% more than Colby College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Colby
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,180, roughly $20,750 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,157, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bentley graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (90% 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 Bentley University over Colby College. Median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment vs $80,490.
Pick Colby College over Bentley University. Net price $17,180 vs $37,930.
Pick Bentley University over Colby College. 2.9% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bentley University 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 Bentley University takes 45%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,352 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 $20,750 a year below Bentley University's $37,930. Graduates of Colby College also borrow less: median debt of $19,157, against $25,023.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $83,000 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, Bentley University graduates report median earnings of $120,959, compared with $80,490 at Colby College. That is a 50% advantage. Set against borrowing, Bentley University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 50% 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
Bentley University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at Colby College, it is 0.9%. Bentley University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Bentley University 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; pick Bentley University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Colby College saves about $20,750 a year, yet Bentley University graduates earn $40,469 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Colby College is harder to get into, with a 7% admit rate, but Bentley University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Bentley University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, while Colby College leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $37,930 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,023, against $19,157 at Colby College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Bentley University's enrollment of 4,474 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Colby College's enrollment, and Bentley University is stronger here.
- Business and consulting-track students: Colby College has less business program depth, and Bentley University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bentley 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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Bentley University
Waltham, MA · Private nonprofit
At Bentley University, students who are interested in business, technology, and social sciences will find a supportive environment that encourages growth and collaboration. With an acceptance rate of 45%, this private nonprofit school draws in a diverse group of around 4,474 students. The focus here is on practical skills and real-world applications, making programs in Business & Marketing, Computer Science, and Health Professions particularly popular.
When looking ahead to life after graduation, Bentley graduates see impressive financial outcomes. On average, they earn about $120,959 within ten years of completing their degrees. This figure is significant because it reflects the university's strong emphasis on preparing students for successful careers. While 16% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to affordability for those who need it, the overall financial picture remains favorable for graduates.
Considering the practicalities, the net price after aid stands at $37,930, which is manageable relative to the median debt of $25,023. This debt load is reasonable and allows many graduates to thrive in their early careers. Bentley is ideal for motivated individuals who are ready to engage deeply with their studies and the broader community, setting themselves up for success in a competitive job market.
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
Bentley University is featured on the Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Bentley's top program is Business Administration (90% of enrollment), while Colby leads with Sociology (28%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Bentley) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colby).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bentley University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Colby College concentrates in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. 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 Bentley University or Colby College?
Colby College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 45% at Bentley University.
Which is more affordable, Bentley University or Colby College?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $37,930 at Bentley University.
Do Bentley University or Colby College graduates earn more?
Bentley University graduates earn more: median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,490 at Colby College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bentley University or Colby College?
Colby College has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 88%.
Bentley University vs Colby College: which is better for social mobility?
Bentley University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Bentley University or Colby College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Bentley University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Bentley and Colby stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
