Academic Comparison between Colby and Southern Maine

Colby College and University of Southern Maine are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Colby is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Waterville, ME and Southern Maine is a four-year, public school located in Portland, ME.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Colby is a private (not-for-profit) and Southern Maine is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Colby has more expensive tuition & fees ($69,600) than Southern Maine ($29,940).
  • It is harder to admit to Colby than Southern Maine.
  • Colby has a higher submitted SAT score (1,510) than Southern Maine (1,100).
  • Colby has higher submitted ACT score (33) than Southern Maine (25).
  • Southern Maine has more students with 7,604 students while Colby has 2,412 students.
  • Colby has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while Southern Maine's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • Southern Maine has more full-time faculties with 259 faculties while Colby has 250 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Colby Collegevs.University of Southern Maine
Waterville, MaineLocationPortland, Maine
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$69,6002025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,090
Out-Of-State$29,940
44%% Receiving Financial Aid60%
$64,417Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,805
7.09 %Acceptance Rates79.23 %
46.18 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)15.33 %
1,510SAT Score1,100
33ACT Score25
89 %Graduation Rate40 %
7 %Transfer-out Rate27 %
94 %Retention Rate74 %
2,412Student Population7,604
250Number of Faculties259
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services