Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston University vs Colby College
- Boston Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 19
- Colby Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,180 vs Boston University's $24,402, 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Boston
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $83,238 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Colby College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Colby
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,180, roughly $7,222 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?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (16% 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 Boston University over Colby College. Median earnings of $83,238 ten years after enrollment vs $80,490.
Pick Colby College over Boston University. Net price $17,180 vs $24,402.
Pick Boston University over Colby College. 2% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston 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 Boston University takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 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 $7,222 a year below Boston University's $24,402. Graduates of Colby College also borrow less: median debt of $19,157, against $23,250.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $28,888 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, Boston University graduates report median earnings of $83,238, compared with $80,490 at Colby College. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colby College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.24x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Boston University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2%; at Colby College, it is 0.9%. Boston University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Boston 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 Boston 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 $7,222 a year, yet Boston University graduates earn $2,748 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 Boston University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Boston University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Communications, 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 $24,402 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,250, against $19,157 at Colby College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Boston University's enrollment of 18,248 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
- Business and consulting-track students: Colby College has less business program depth, and Boston University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Boston 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
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Boston University is a great fit for motivated students who are ready to engage with a vibrant urban campus. It's an appealing choice for those interested in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Communications, Biology & Biomedical, or Computer Science & IT. The school’s diverse offerings attract students who are eager to explore various disciplines and prepare for dynamic careers.
After graduation, students from Boston University can expect to earn an impressive average of $83,238 within a decade. This means graduates are stepping into solid financial footing relatively quickly, which is encouraging for those considering their return on investment. With a graduation rate of 89%, it shows that students not only enroll but also successfully complete their degrees, paving the way for upward mobility in their careers.
When it comes to the practical side of financing your education, the net price after aid stands at approximately $24,402, which is manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, a figure that many could navigate effectively post-graduation. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are ready to take advantage of Boston’s resources and connections, ultimately setting themselves up for successful futures.
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
Boston University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Boston's top program is Business Administration (16% 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 Boston) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colby).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Colby College concentrates in Psychology, 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 Boston University or Colby College?
Colby College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 11% at Boston University.
Which is more affordable, Boston University or Colby College?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $24,402 at Boston University.
Do Boston University or Colby College graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates earn more: median earnings of $83,238 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,490 at Colby College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston University or Colby College?
Colby College has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 89%.
Boston University vs Colby College: which is better for social mobility?
Boston University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Boston University or Colby College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Boston 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.
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