Head-to-head · 2026
Colby College vs University of Maine
Compare average net price ($17,180 at Colby College; $17,510 at University of Maine), ROI score (11.71 vs 6.95), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($80,490 vs $48,653), and admissions selectivity (7.1% acceptance at Colby College; 96.6% at University of Maine) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Colby College | University of Maine |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.71 ✓ | 6.95 |
| Avg net price | $17,180 ✓ | $17,510 |
| 4-year avg net price | $68,720 ✓ | $70,040 |
| In-state tuition | $69,600 | $13,326 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $69,600 | $36,756 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $80,490 ✓ | $48,653 |
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% | 96.6% |
| Graduation rate | 88.8% ✓ | 54.9% |
| Retention rate | 93.7% ✓ | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $19,157 ✓ | $25,000 |
| Enrollment | 2,407 | 8,496 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1501 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Colby College | University of Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,049 ✓ | $12,642 |
| Family income $30–48k | $1,251 ✓ | $13,280 |
| Family income $48–75k | $3,666 ✓ | $14,631 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,106 ✓ | $18,508 |
| Family income $110k+ | $46,511 | $22,018 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Colby College | University of Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 12.1% | 1.3% |
| Political Science and Government | 10.4% | 1.9% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 7.1% | 2.2% |
| Psychology, General | 5.6% | 3.5% |
| Biology, General | 5.2% | 2.3% |
| Computer Science | 6.1% | 1.1% |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5.7% | 0.6% |
| History | 3.7% | 1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Colby College reports the lower average net price by $330 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,320 difference over four years ($68,720 vs $70,040).
Colby College reports $31,837 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($80,490 vs $48,653). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 93.7% at Colby College and 83.4% at University of Maine. Median federal debt among completers is $19,157 vs $25,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Colby College vs University of Maine, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Colby College is cheaper — average net price $17,180 per year vs $17,510 at University of Maine. The annual difference of $330 adds up to about $1,320 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Colby College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $80,490 vs $48,653 at University of Maine. The gap in the federal data is $31,837. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Colby College is more selective at 7.1% acceptance vs 96.6% at University of Maine.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.