Head-to-Head Comparison
Colby College vs University of Southern California
- Colby Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 14
- Southern California Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Southern California achieves a higher graduation rate (92% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $32,740 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.
52 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 $15,560 a year less
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Southern California
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $92,498 ten years after enrollment, 15% more than Colby College
- Higher grad rate: 92% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.9%, 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); Southern California in Business & Marketing (22%). 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 University of Southern California over Colby College. Median earnings of $92,498 ten years after enrollment vs $80,490.
Pick Colby College over University of Southern California. Net price $17,180 vs $32,740.
Pick University of Southern California over Colby College. 3.9% 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 University of Southern California are close on paper, but University of Southern California 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 University of Southern California takes 10%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,501 to 1,495.
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 $15,560 a year below University of Southern California's $32,740. Graduates of University of Southern California also borrow less: median debt of $18,000, against $19,157.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $62,240 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, University of Southern California graduates report median earnings of $92,498, compared with $80,490 at Colby College. That is a 15% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Southern California has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 15% 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
University of Southern California does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.9%; at Colby College, it is 0.9%. University of Southern California also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 7.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Southern California 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 University of Southern California 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 $15,560 a year, yet University of Southern California graduates earn $12,008 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 University of Southern California posts the higher mobility rate, at 3.9%. 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 Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while University of Southern California leans toward Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts. 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 University of Southern California offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $32,740 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Southern California's enrollment of 20,443 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Southern California 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
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.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit
The University of Southern California has an impressive graduation rate of 92%. This reflects the institution's strong commitment to student success and academic support. Students here are likely to find a community that encourages them to complete their degrees on time.
According to data from Opportunity Insights, while specific mobility metrics are not available, the high graduation rate suggests that many students are able to improve their economic prospects through education. Graduates from USC earn a median salary of $92,498 a decade after leaving, indicating a solid return on investment for their education.
The cost of attendance at USC is $32,740, with a median debt of $18,000 for those who borrow. This financial landscape makes it essential for prospective students to consider their funding options. Students who thrive at USC often have a clear focus on their career paths, particularly in fields like business, arts, and technology.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Southern California is featured on the Best Online Colleges in California ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Colby's top program is Sociology (28% of enrollment), while Southern California leads with Business Administration (22%).
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 Southern California).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colby College is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, while University of Southern California concentrates in Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Communications. 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 University of Southern California?
Colby College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 10% at University of Southern California.
Which is more affordable, Colby College or University of Southern California?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $32,740 at University of Southern California.
Do Colby College or University of Southern California graduates earn more?
University of Southern California graduates earn more: median earnings of $92,498 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,490 at Colby College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colby College or University of Southern California?
University of Southern California has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 89%.
Colby College vs University of Southern California: which is better for social mobility?
University of Southern California is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.9% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Colby College or University of Southern California?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Southern California 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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