Head-to-Head Comparison
Colby College vs Purdue University-Main Campus
- Colby Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 16
- Purdue University-Main Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Purdue University-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Colby College achieves a higher graduation rate (89% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $17,180 compared to Purdue University-Main Campus's $14,600 for in-state paths. Students who choose Purdue University-Main Campus benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $72,424 at ten years.
48 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, 11% more than Purdue University
- 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
Purdue University-Main
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,600, roughly $2,580 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Colby graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (28% of degrees); Purdue University-Main in Engineering (25%). 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 Purdue University. Median earnings of $80,490 ten years after enrollment vs $72,424.
Pick Purdue University over Colby College. Net price $14,600 vs $17,180.
Pick Colby College over Purdue University. 89% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Colby College and Purdue University 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 Purdue University takes 50%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,501 to 1,364.
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, Purdue University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,600, about $2,580 a year below Colby College's $17,180. Graduates of Colby College also borrow less: median debt of $19,157, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $10,320 before any change in aid. Choosing Purdue University 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 $72,424 at Purdue University. That is a 11% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colby College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.24x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 11% 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
Colby College graduates a larger share of its students, 89% versus 83%. 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Purdue University to keep costs and debt down; pick Colby College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Purdue University saves about $2,580 a year, yet Colby College graduates earn $8,066 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 Purdue University leans toward Engineering, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $17,180 runs well above Purdue University's $14,600.
- Engineering-focused students: Purdue University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Colby College has less business program depth, and Purdue University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Purdue University's enrollment of 44,503 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Purdue University-Main 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) 4 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.
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
With an enrollment of over 44,500 students, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a solid choice for those who thrive in a large, dynamic environment. It’s particularly appealing for students interested in engineering, business, computer science, biology, and social sciences. The 50% acceptance rate suggests a competitive atmosphere, and the 83% graduation rate indicates that many students are successfully completing their degrees.
After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $72,424 after ten years. That’s a significant number, especially for graduates entering fields like engineering and technology. While the cost of attendance is reasonable, the long-term financial outlook is promising, making it clear that a degree from Purdue can lead to solid career opportunities.
When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid averages around $14,600, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $19,500, students leave with a debt load that is relatively low compared to potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated, ambitious, and ready to take advantage of the university's strong programs and supportive resources.
Rankings They Appear On
Colby College is featured on the Best Colleges in Maine ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Colby's top program is Sociology (28% of enrollment), while Purdue University-Main leads with Mechanical Engineering (25%).
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 Purdue University-Main).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colby College is strongest in Social Sciences, Psychology, while Purdue University concentrates in Engineering, 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 Purdue University?
Colby College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 50% at Purdue University.
Which is more affordable, Colby College or Purdue University?
Purdue University is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,600 after aid versus $17,180 at Colby College.
Do Colby College or Purdue University graduates earn more?
Colby College graduates earn more: median earnings of $80,490 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,424 at Purdue University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colby College or Purdue University?
Colby College has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 83%.
Should you choose Colby College or Purdue University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Purdue University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Colby 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.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Colby and Purdue University-Main stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
