Head-to-Head Comparison
Colby College vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Colby Wins
- 5
- Tied
- 13
- Massachusetts Technology Wins
- 32
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Massachusetts Institute of Technology achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $20,111 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.
50 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 $2,931 a year less
Massachusetts Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, 78% more than Colby College
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,768, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Colby graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (28% of degrees); Massachusetts Technology in Computer Science & IT (35%). 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Colby College. Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment vs $80,490.
Pick Colby College over Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Net price $17,180 vs $20,111.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Colby College. 3.4% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 1,560.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 $2,931 a year below Massachusetts Institute of Technology's $20,111. Graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $14,768, against $19,157.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $11,724 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, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $143,372, compared with $80,490 at Colby College. That is a 78% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.1x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 78% 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 7% 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.4%; at Colby College, it is 0.9%. Massachusetts Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 $2,931 a year, yet Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn $62,882 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 Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology leans toward Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,157, against $14,768 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Colby College's enrollment, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $20,111 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Massachusetts Institute of Technology's enrollment of 4,535 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Massachusetts Technology 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) 3 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) 1 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.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology attracts a highly motivated and academically driven student body. This is a place for those who excel in challenging fields, particularly in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physical sciences, and biology. Students here are often hands-on learners, engaging in rigorous projects and research that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Once students graduate, they typically see significant financial returns on their investment. With an average salary of $143,372 after ten years, graduates are well-positioned in the job market. This level of earning power speaks volumes about the value of the education they receive here. The affordability of attending is also noteworthy; with a net price of $20,111 after aid, many students leave with a manageable median debt of $14,768, making the financial landscape more navigable.
The practical aspects of attending MIT align well with the ambitions of its students. Those who thrive here are often those who embrace intense academic rigor and collaborative environments. With a graduation rate of 96%, it’s clear that the supportive community helps students succeed. The combination of a strong educational foundation and a network of driven peers prepares graduates for a range of career paths and success in their chosen fields.
Rankings They Appear On
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is featured on the Colleges With the Highest-Earning Graduates ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Colby's top program is Sociology (28% of enrollment), while Massachusetts Technology leads with Computer Science (35%).
Massachusetts Technology
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 Massachusetts Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colby College is strongest in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology concentrates in Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences. 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 7% at Colby College.
Which is more affordable, Colby College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $20,111 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Do Colby College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,490 at Colby College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colby College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 89%.
Colby College vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology: which is better for social mobility?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.4% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Colby College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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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