Head-to-Head Comparison
Colby College vs Dartmouth College
- Colby Wins
- 8
- Tied
- 19
- Dartmouth Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Dartmouth College achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,519 compared to Colby College's $17,180. 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
Colby
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,180, roughly $12,339 a year less
Dartmouth
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, 21% more than Colby College
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Colby graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (28% of degrees); Dartmouth in Social Sciences (24%). 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 Dartmouth College over Colby College. Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment vs $80,490.
Pick Colby College over Dartmouth College. Net price $17,180 vs $29,519.
Pick Dartmouth College over Colby College. 1.4% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Dartmouth College 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
Colby College and Dartmouth College are close on paper, but Dartmouth College 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
Dartmouth College is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Colby College takes 7%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,501 to 1,534.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Dartmouth 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 $12,339 a year below Dartmouth College's $29,519. Graduates of Dartmouth College also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $19,157.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $49,356 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, Dartmouth College graduates report median earnings of $97,434, compared with $80,490 at Colby College. That is a 21% advantage. Set against borrowing, Dartmouth College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 21% 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
Dartmouth College 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
Dartmouth College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.4%; at Colby College, it is 0.9%. Dartmouth College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.8% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Dartmouth 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; pick Dartmouth College 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 $12,339 a year, yet Dartmouth College graduates earn $16,944 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. Colby College concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Dartmouth College leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Dartmouth College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,519 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Dartmouth College's enrollment of 4,541 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Dartmouth 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
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.
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Dartmouth College attracts students who are not only academically gifted but also eager to engage deeply in their studies. The student body, numbering around 4,541, tends to gravitate toward popular fields like Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Biology. This creates a vibrant intellectual community where collaboration and exploration are at the forefront. If you thrive in a competitive environment and are looking for a college experience that emphasizes both rigorous academics and a tight-knit community, Dartmouth might be a good fit for you.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Dartmouth see impressive earnings, averaging $97,434 within ten years of graduating. This financial trajectory speaks volumes about the value of a Dartmouth degree in the job market. Affordability is also a consideration, with a net price of $29,519 after financial aid, making it somewhat accessible for many families. While the Pell Grant rate is relatively low at 14%, those who do receive aid can significantly lessen their financial burden, setting them up for a more secure future.
When it comes to the practicalities, the median debt for graduates is $17,500, which is manageable compared to many institutions. This financial landscape suggests that students who thrive here are often those who are ambitious and ready to engage with both the academic and extracurricular opportunities available. Dartmouth fosters a culture that encourages personal growth and professional success, making it a great place for driven individuals looking to make their mark.
Rankings They Appear On
Dartmouth College is featured on the Best Colleges in New Hampshire ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 28% of Colby's student body and 24% of Dartmouth's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colby) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Dartmouth).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colby College is strongest in Psychology, while Dartmouth College concentrates in Engineering. 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 Colby College or Dartmouth College?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 7% at Colby College.
Which is more affordable, Colby College or Dartmouth College?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $29,519 at Dartmouth College.
Do Colby College or Dartmouth College graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,490 at Colby College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colby College or Dartmouth College?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 89%.
Colby College vs Dartmouth College: which is better for social mobility?
Dartmouth College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.4% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Colby College or Dartmouth College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Dartmouth College 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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