Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs Colby College
- Brown Wins
- 26
- Tied
- 18
- Colby Wins
- 10
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Brown University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $25,184 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, 16% more than Colby College
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,428, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Colby
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,180, roughly $8,004 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% 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 Brown University over Colby College. Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment vs $80,490.
Pick Colby College over Brown University. Net price $17,180 vs $25,184.
Pick Brown University over Colby College. 1.4% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Brown University over Colby College. 96% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and Colby College are close on paper, but Brown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Colby College takes 7%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,501.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brown University 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 $8,004 a year below Brown University's $25,184. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $19,157.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $32,016 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, Brown University graduates report median earnings of $93,487, compared with $80,490 at Colby College. That is a 16% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x 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.
Finishing the degree
Brown University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Brown University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.4%; at Colby College, it is 0.9%. Brown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 11.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Brown 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 Brown 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 $8,004 a year, yet Brown University graduates earn $12,997 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Brown University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while Colby College leans toward Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,184 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Brown University's enrollment of 7,226 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,157, against $11,428 at Brown University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Colby College's enrollment, and Brown University is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Brown 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
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Brown University in Providence, RI, is a selective option that attracts students driven to excel academically and personally. It’s a place for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. The high graduation rate of 96% speaks to the strong support system in place, making it a solid choice for ambitious students.
After graduation, Brown alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $93,487 ten years post-graduation. This financial trajectory suggests that graduates are not just securing jobs, but often moving into roles that reward their hard work. While this school may come with a price tag, the outcomes reflect a community that values education and shapes successful careers.
When it comes to the finances, the net price after aid stands at $25,184, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $11,428. This is encouraging, especially for students who may be concerned about student loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, taking full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
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
Brown University and Colby College appear together in 5 rankings. On the Best Colleges in New England, Brown University ranks #3 — Brown University outranks Colby College by 7 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 25% of Brown's student body and 28% of Colby's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Brown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colby).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Mathematics & Statistics, while Colby College concentrates in 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 Brown University or Colby College?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 7% at Colby College.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or Colby College?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $25,184 at Brown University.
Do Brown University or Colby College graduates earn more?
Brown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,490 at Colby College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or Colby College?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 89%.
Brown University vs Colby College: which is better for social mobility?
Brown University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.4% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Brown University or Colby College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Brown 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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