Academic Comparison between Southern Maine and Colby

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

  • Southern Maine is a public and Colby is a private (not-for-profit) 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 (1,100) than Southern Maine (1,100).
  • Colby has higher submitted ACT score (25) 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

University of Southern Mainevs.Colby College
Portland, MaineLocationWaterville, Maine
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$12,090
Out-Of-State$29,940
2025 Tuition & Fees$69,600
60%% Receiving Financial Aid44%
$9,805Average Amount of Financial Aid$64,417
79.23 %Acceptance Rates7.09 %
15.33 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)46.18 %
1,100SAT Score1,510
25ACT Score33
40 %Graduation Rate89 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate7 %
74 %Retention Rate94 %
7,604Student Population2,412
259Number of Faculties250
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesStudy Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services