Head-to-Head Comparison
Colby College vs Providence College
- Colby Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 13
- Providence Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,180 vs Providence College's $48,523, 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.
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 $31,343 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 89% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- 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
Providence
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $87,054 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than Colby College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 0.9%, 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); Providence in Business & Marketing (42%). 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 Providence College over Colby College. Median earnings of $87,054 ten years after enrollment vs $80,490.
Pick Colby College over Providence College. Net price $17,180 vs $48,523.
Pick Providence College over Colby College. 0.9% 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 Providence 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 Providence College takes 51%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,501 to 1,346.
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 $31,343 a year below Providence College's $48,523. Graduates of Colby College also borrow less: median debt of $19,157, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $125,372 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, Providence College graduates report median earnings of $87,054, compared with $80,490 at Colby College. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colby College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.24x to 0.31x.
So what: An earnings gap of 8% 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
Providence College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 0.9%; at Colby College, it is 0.9%. Providence College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Providence 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 Providence 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 $31,343 a year, yet Providence College graduates earn $6,564 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 Providence College posts the higher mobility rate, at 0.9%. 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 Providence College 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 Providence College offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $48,523 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $19,157 at Colby College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Providence College's enrollment of 4,229 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Providence 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
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.
Providence College
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of about 4,200 students, Providence College is a great fit for those looking for a close-knit community while still enjoying the resources of a larger institution. The college’s emphasis on programs like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Biology & Biomedical sets a clear academic direction for students. The 51% acceptance rate indicates that while it's selective, there are plenty of opportunities for students who are passionate about their fields.
Looking ahead, the average earnings for graduates after ten years is around $87,054. That’s a solid number that reflects the value of a degree from this institution. Graduates are likely to see upward mobility in their careers, which is a significant consideration when choosing a school. The fact that 87% of students graduate suggests a supportive environment that helps students stay on track and achieve their goals.
Financially, the net price after aid stands at $48,523, and the median debt for graduates is $27,000. This debt load is manageable compared to the earning potential, making it a reasonable investment in education. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are engaged in their studies and take advantage of the community support available. Overall, Providence College presents a compelling option for students focused on both academic and career success.
Rankings They Appear On
Providence College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Education ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Colby's top program is Sociology (28% of enrollment), while Providence leads with Business Administration (42%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colby) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Providence).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colby College is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while Providence College concentrates in Business & Marketing. 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 Providence College?
Colby College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 51% at Providence College.
Which is more affordable, Colby College or Providence College?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $48,523 at Providence College.
Do Colby College or Providence College graduates earn more?
Providence College graduates earn more: median earnings of $87,054 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,490 at Colby College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colby College or Providence College?
Colby College has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 87%.
Colby College vs Providence College: which is better for social mobility?
Providence College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 0.9% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Colby College or Providence College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Providence 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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