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Colby College

Colby College

Waterville, ME · Town · 2,407 students
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$17,180
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
89%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$80,490
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
7%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Colby College is an elite liberal arts institution situated on Mayflower Hill in Waterville, Maine, renowned for top-tier programs in environmental studies, economics, government, and the natural sciences. The college distinguishes itself through innovative initiatives such as the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence—the first of its kind at a liberal arts college—and its immersive "Jan Plan" term dedicated to specialized research, internships, and global study. Student life thrives on a close-knit, outdoors-oriented residential community, competitive NESCAC athletics, and access to the renowned Colby College Museum of Art. Furthermore, the college is celebrated for the Colby Commitment, a financial aid initiative that meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans.


Wikipedia:Colby College is a private liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine, United States. Founded in 1813 as the Maine Literary and Theological Institution, it was renamed Waterville College in 1821. The donations of philanthropist Gardner Colby saw the institution renamed again to Colby University before settling on its current name, reflecting its liberal arts college curriculum, in 1899. Approximately 2,400 students, representing more than 45 states and 80 countries, are enrolled annually. The college offers 58 major fields of study and 38 minors.

Location
Waterville, ME, 04901-8840 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BGR · Bangor
44 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$69,600
Housing & food (on campus)$17,890
Books & supplies$850
Cost of attendance$85,420
Average net price$17,180
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$69,600
Housing & food (on campus)$17,890
Books & supplies$850
Cost of attendance$85,420
Average net price$17,180
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$4,049
$30–48k
$1,251
$48–75k
$3,666
$75–110k
$12,106
$110k+
$46,511
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
89%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
75%
Back for yr 2
94%
Transferred
7%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
88% graduated · 8% transferred · 4% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$60,052
10 yrs after entry$80,490
Debt
Median at graduation$19,157
Monthly payment$203
Middle 50% owe$8.8k–$27k
90th percentile$27,495
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
7%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1501
R 720–760 · M 740–790
ACT midpoint
33
Comp 32–34 · E 33–35 · M 29–34
SAT middle 50%: 1460–1550
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Colby College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 49%Women 51%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
9 : 1
Pell grant
14%
First-gen
11%
Family income
$94,859
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
55%
Hispanic
8%
Black
5%
Asian
10%
Two or more
7%
Non-resident
11%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Skiing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Squash
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$60,052
After 10 yrs
$80,490
Economics94
Political Science and Government66
Natural Resources Conservation and Research47
Neurobiology and Neurosciences44
Computer Science43
International/Globalization Studies38
Psychology, General34
Biology, General31
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies22
English Language and Literature, General21
History21
Area Studies17
Education, General17
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics17
Mathematics17
Physics16
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.2B
Full-time faculty
93%
Faculty salary
$13,207/mo
Teaching spend
$27,972
per student
Federal loans
9%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Research activity
Research college or university
$5M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Colby College is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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