Head-to-Head Comparison
Colby College vs Emory University
- Colby Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 17
- Emory Wins
- 24
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Emory University achieves a higher graduation rate (91% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $22,585 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
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $80,490 ten years after enrollment, 0% more than Emory University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,180, roughly $5,405 a year less
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Emory
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,250, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.8%, 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); Emory in Business & Marketing (23%). 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 Emory University. Median earnings of $80,490 ten years after enrollment vs $80,137.
Pick Colby College over Emory University. Net price $17,180 vs $22,585.
Pick Emory University over Colby College. 1.8% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Colby College and Emory University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Colby College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while Emory University takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,501 to 1,520.
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 $5,405 a year below Emory University's $22,585. Graduates of Emory University also borrow less: median debt of $18,250, against $19,157.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $21,620 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 $80,137 at Emory University. That is a 0% advantage. Set against borrowing, Emory University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 0% 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
Emory University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.8%; at Colby College, it is 0.9%. Emory University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Emory 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 Emory University if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
Colby College is harder to get into, with a 7% admit rate, but Emory University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.8%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Colby College concentrates enrollment in Psychology, while Emory University leans toward Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Colby College has less business program depth, and Emory University offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $22,585 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Emory University's enrollment of 7,298 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Emory 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.
Emory University
Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofit
Emory University has an impressive graduation rate of 91%. This high percentage reflects the strong support systems in place for students and their ability to successfully navigate their academic journeys. With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Emory attracts a competitive pool of applicants, ensuring a diverse and engaged student body.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Emory's graduates earn a median salary of $80,137 ten years after enrollment. This earning potential suggests that students are well-prepared for the job market, particularly in fields like business, health professions, and social sciences. While detailed mobility rates are not available, the strong outcomes indicate that students from various socioeconomic backgrounds can succeed here.
The net price for attending Emory is $22,585, with a median debt of $18,250. This financial framework allows many students to graduate with manageable debt levels. Emory is ideal for motivated students who thrive in an academically rigorous environment and seek strong career outcomes post-graduation.
Rankings They Appear On
Emory University is featured on the Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Colby's top program is Sociology (28% of enrollment), while Emory leads with Business Administration (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colby) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Emory).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colby College is strongest in Psychology, Computer Science & IT, while Emory University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Health Professions. 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 Emory University?
Colby College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 11% at Emory University.
Which is more affordable, Colby College or Emory University?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $22,585 at Emory University.
Do Colby College or Emory University graduates earn more?
Colby College graduates earn more: median earnings of $80,490 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,137 at Emory University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colby College or Emory University?
Emory University has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 89%.
Colby College vs Emory University: which is better for social mobility?
Emory University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.8% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Colby College or Emory University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Emory University if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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