Colby College vs Trinity University

Colby College and Trinity University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Colby, nestled in the picturesque town of Waterville, Maine, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 13%, while Trinity, located in the vibrant city of San Antonio, Texas, maintains a slightly higher acceptance rate of 18%. Both institutions excel in academics, with Colby specializing in the liberal arts and sciences and Trinity offering a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs. While Colby's student body comprises primarily of Caucasian students, Trinity's student population is more diverse, reflecting the university's commitment to inclusivity. With Colby's graduation rate standing at 93% and Trinity's at 83%, both colleges demonstrate a strong commitment to student success. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Colby College logo

Colby College

Trinity University logo

Trinity University

Overview

Location Waterville, Maine San Antonio, Texas
Campus setting Town: Remote City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system 4-1-4 Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 95.0% 92.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation Presbyterian

Admission

Acceptance rate 8.9% 33.7%
Application fees $50
SAT range 1400 - 1530 1280 - 1468
ACT range 32 - 34 29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score 40.0% 39.0%
Students submitting ACT score 28.0% 29.0%
Total number of applicants 15,857 9,626
Total number of admissions given out 1,407 3,246
Admitted students who chose to enroll 667 663
Yield rate 47.4% 20.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $68,825 $61,132
Average net price $17,912 $27,356
Tuition $58,640 $46,776
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $8,150

Meal plan: $7,595
Room/dormitory: $8,690

Meal plan: $5,903
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

39.0%
Average amount $58,513
99.0%
Average amount $35,240
Students receiving federal student loan 8.0%
Average amount $5,140
35.0%
Average amount $5,106
Students taking out private loans 1.0%
Average amount $18,242
9.0%
Average amount $9,457

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,262
Men 47.1% Women 52.9%
2,527
Men 47.3% Women 52.7%
Graduate students N/A 177
Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students N/A 20.6%
International students 9.5% 4.1%
Campus local/setting Town: Remote City: Large
Dormitory capacity 2,242 1,779
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A Texas California Arizona Oregon Louisiana

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Social Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Natural Resources and Conservation
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Education
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 10:1 9:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 86.6% 79.9%
Dropout rate 5.7% 5.0%
Transferred out 7.5% 15.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,540
  • Year 2: $57,995
  • Year 3: $83,980
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,972
  • Year 2: $47,118
  • Year 3: $55,529
International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,350
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $53,638
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: $42,883
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,156
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $40,423
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,612
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $41,193
  • Year 3: N/A
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $30,771
  • Year 3: N/A
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: N/A
Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $44,971
  • Year 3: N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,419
  • Year 2: $88,342
  • Year 3: $118,436
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $77,213
  • Year 3: $98,114
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,972
  • Year 2: $64,990
  • Year 3: $74,778
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $66,003
  • Year 3: $74,002
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,126
  • Year 2: $41,937
  • Year 3: $54,622
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $51,821
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,586
  • Year 2: $51,440
  • Year 3: $51,584
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $28,816
  • Year 3: N/A
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,367
  • Year 2: $53,108
  • Year 3: N/A
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,357
  • Year 2: $36,848
  • Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the primary differences in location and campus environment between Colby College and Trinity University?

    Colby College is located in Waterville, Maine, offering a classic New England college town experience with a focus on outdoor activities and a close-knit community. Trinity University, on the other hand, is situated in San Antonio, Texas, providing a vibrant urban environment with access to a rich cultural scene and diverse opportunities.

  • How do Colby College and Trinity University compare in terms of size and student body?

    Colby College is a smaller liberal arts college with an undergraduate enrollment of around 2,200 students, fostering a more intimate learning environment. Trinity University is slightly larger, with approximately 2,600 undergraduate students, offering a broader range of perspectives and experiences within a still relatively small setting.

  • What are the key academic strengths of Colby College and Trinity University?

    Colby College is known for its strong programs in environmental studies, government, and economics, with a focus on research and global engagement. Trinity University excels in business, engineering, and the sciences, emphasizing experiential learning and preparing students for professional careers.

  • How do the financial aid and tuition costs compare between Colby College and Trinity University?

    Both Colby College and Trinity University offer comprehensive financial aid packages to eligible students. While tuition costs are comparable, the actual cost to students will vary depending on their individual financial circumstances and the aid they receive. It's best to use the net price calculators on each college's website to get a personalized estimate.

  • What is the student life like at Colby College versus Trinity University?

    Colby College offers a strong sense of community with a focus on outdoor activities, clubs, and a vibrant residential life. Trinity University provides a more urban student life with access to San Antonio's cultural attractions, a diverse range of student organizations, and a strong emphasis on community engagement.

  • What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Colby College and Trinity University?

    Both Colby College and Trinity University offer robust career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and internship placement assistance. Colby College leverages its alumni network and location in the Northeast to provide internship opportunities in various fields. Trinity University benefits from its location in San Antonio, offering internships in business, technology, and healthcare.

  • How do the admission requirements and acceptance rates differ between Colby College and Trinity University?

    Colby College and Trinity University are both highly selective institutions. Colby College generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate, reflecting its strong national reputation. Both colleges consider a variety of factors in their admission process, including academic record, standardized test scores (though both are test-optional), essays, and extracurricular activities.

  • What are the notable alumni networks and career outcomes for graduates of Colby College and Trinity University?

    Colby College boasts a strong alumni network particularly in the Northeast, with graduates pursuing careers in government, finance, and non-profit sectors. Trinity University's alumni network is strong in Texas and the Southwest, with graduates finding success in business, engineering, and healthcare industries.

  • What opportunities exist for studying abroad at Colby College and Trinity University?

    Both Colby College and Trinity University offer extensive study abroad programs. Colby College has its own programs in various countries and partnerships with other institutions. Trinity University also provides a wide range of study abroad options, allowing students to immerse themselves in different cultures and academic environments.

  • How do the athletic programs and facilities compare at Colby College and Trinity University?

    Colby College competes in NCAA Division III as part of the NESCAC conference, known for its strong academics and competitive athletics. Trinity University also competes in NCAA Division III, offering a variety of varsity sports and recreational activities. Both institutions provide excellent athletic facilities for their student-athletes.

  • What resources are available for students interested in research at Colby College and Trinity University?

    Colby College emphasizes undergraduate research, providing funding and mentorship opportunities for students to engage in faculty-led research projects across various disciplines. Trinity University also supports undergraduate research, offering research grants and opportunities to present findings at conferences. Both institutions value hands-on learning and scholarly inquiry.

  • What is the general political climate and campus culture like at Colby College and Trinity University?

    Colby College, located in a politically active state, tends to have a more liberal campus culture with a strong emphasis on social justice and civic engagement. Trinity University, situated in Texas, has a more moderate campus culture, reflecting the diverse political views of its student body and the surrounding community. Both institutions encourage open dialogue and respectful debate.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.
Colby College Colby College vs Colorado College Colorado College
Colby College Colby College vs Connecticut College Connecticut College
Colby College Colby College vs Trinity College Trinity College
Colby College Colby College vs Wesleyan University Wesleyan University
Colby College Colby College vs Bates College Bates College
Colby College Colby College vs Bowdoin College Bowdoin College
Colby College Colby College vs St. John's College St. John's College
Colby College Colby College vs College of the Holy Cross College of the Holy Cross
Colby College Colby College vs Stonehill College Stonehill College
Colby College Colby College vs Hillsdale College Hillsdale College
Colby College Colby College vs St Lawrence University St Lawrence University
Colby College Colby College vs Sarah Lawrence College Sarah Lawrence College
Colby College Colby College vs United States Military Academy United States Military Academy
Colby College Colby College vs Bucknell University Bucknell University
Colby College Colby College vs Franklin and Marshall College Franklin and Marshall College
Colby College Colby College vs Muhlenberg College Muhlenberg College
Colby College Colby College vs Ursinus College Ursinus College
Colby College Colby College vs The University of the South The University of the South
Colby College Colby College vs Trinity University Trinity University
Colby College Colby College vs St. John's College St. John's College
Trinity University Trinity University vs Birmingham-Southern College Birmingham-Southern College
Trinity University Trinity University vs Hendrix College Hendrix College
Trinity University Trinity University vs University of Miami University of Miami
Trinity University Trinity University vs Rollins College Rollins College
Trinity University Trinity University vs The University of Tampa The University of Tampa
Trinity University Trinity University vs Emory University Emory University
Trinity University Trinity University vs University of Illinois Springfield University of Illinois Springfield
Trinity University Trinity University vs Butler University Butler University
Trinity University Trinity University vs University of Notre Dame University of Notre Dame
Trinity University Trinity University vs Newman University Newman University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Loyola University New Orleans Loyola University New Orleans
Trinity University Trinity University vs Tulane University of Louisiana Tulane University of Louisiana
Trinity University Trinity University vs Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Harvard University Harvard University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Trinity University Trinity University vs Millsaps College Millsaps College
Trinity University Trinity University vs Dartmouth College Dartmouth College
Trinity University Trinity University vs Colgate University Colgate University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Cornell University Cornell University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Elon University Elon University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Wake Forest University Wake Forest University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Tiffin University Tiffin University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Villanova University Villanova University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Brown University Brown University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Abilene Christian University Abilene Christian University
Trinity University Trinity University vs University of Dallas University of Dallas
Trinity University Trinity University vs Lubbock Christian University Lubbock Christian University
Trinity University Trinity University vs University of Mary Hardin-Baylor University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Trinity University Trinity University vs Paul Quinn College Paul Quinn College
Trinity University Trinity University vs Rice University Rice University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Brigham Young University-Hawaii Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Trinity University Trinity University vs Christopher Newport University Christopher Newport University
Trinity University Trinity University vs Longwood University Longwood University
Trinity University Trinity University vs University of Puget Sound University of Puget Sound
Trinity University Trinity University vs Stanford University Stanford University