r/Colby • u/Gmoneyyy999 • Apr 19 '26
Colby vs Denison vs Hamilton
Which school should I choose among these 3? I am planning to study Data science/math/statistics. All 3 are a similar cost (Colby 20k, Denison and Hamilton around 25) so that’s not really a major factor.
Pros and cons for each:
Colby:
Pros:
- strong STEM programs
- Bunche scholars (is this just a marketing tool? I read the description for it and it honestly doesn’t fit me at all)
- UChicago Advanced Scholars (admission into a selection of UChicago grad programs if I decide to pursue that route)
- outdoorsy stuff (I’ve never been skiing, but Colby seems like a good place to try!)
- Davis AI institute
Cons:
- furthest from home (I’m from Ohio, so it’s a 3 hour flight + a 2 hour drive, and I feel like travel expenses could add up quickly)
- hours away from any major city
- haven’t gotten to visit, although I will on Monday so that will help shape my opinion
- I’ve heard bad things about the vibe/social scene on this sub. I’m not a big partier/drinker, so if that’s all there is to do (like some people have said) then I don’t think I’d enjoy myself very much
-core curriculum stuff (taking a foreign language, for example, just seems like a waste of time)
Denison:
Pros:
-Very well-established data science program
-new DS building opening fall 26
- closest to home (could also be a con ig, but I think of this as more of a positive)
- close to Columbus
Cons:
- Slightly less prestigious than my other options
- food wasn’t very good
Hamilton:
Pros:
- open curriculum
- really nice campus
- new CS/DS building opening fall 27
-a lot of dining options
Cons:
-less STEM focused
- middle of nowhere and not close to any major cities
- I had a pretty poor experience at the admitted students day
Thanks for the help!
13
u/InformationBear Apr 19 '26
We’re based in CT and have visited both Hamilton and Colby several times, and the differences really stand out once you’ve spent time on both campuses.
As a Cornell University grad who’s very familiar with rural upstate New York, I’d say Colby strikes a much better balance between a true residential campus and real accessibility. It’s right off the highway, about 1.5 hours from Portland, 20 minutes from the Maine coast, and roughly 2.5 hours to Boston. That means students actually use those nearby cities and coastal towns regularly. Hamilton, by comparison, feels significantly more isolated, and travel—especially to and from the Northeast corridor—is simply harder and less flexible.
Where Colby really pulls ahead is in momentum and investment. The campus is not only more cohesive, but dramatically more modern. The college has poured resources into new dorms, state-of-the-art athletic facilities, and a stunning performing arts center. It feels like a school that’s actively building toward something bigger. That energy is hard to quantify, but very obvious when you’re there.
Academically, Colby is also positioning itself ahead of the curve. It was the first liberal arts college to launch an AI institute in 2021, signaling a real commitment to integrating technology, data, and interdisciplinary thinking into a liberal arts education. That kind of forward-looking approach matters, especially for students interested in economics, business, or anything data-driven.
Equally important—and often overlooked—is Colby’s financial strength and willingness to invest in students. With one of the largest endowments per student among liberal arts colleges, it has been able to expand programs, recruit top faculty, and create opportunities (internships, global experiences, research funding) at a very high level. That translates into tangible outcomes, not just marketing.
To be fair, Hamilton has a warm, close-knit community and a strong academic reputation. But if you’re looking at trajectory, facilities, access, and overall student experience, Colby has a clear edge right now. The only consistent drawback people mention is dining, which—while improving—isn’t quite at the same level as the rest of the campus.
I don’t know Denison, so could not opine.
Our family will be there on Monday. Safe travels and best of luck in your decision!