College Search
Colby College

Colby College

Waterville, ME · Town · 2,407 students
4
Year
Private Non-profit
Town
Small (<3k)
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Located on a scenic campus in Waterville, Maine, Colby College is a highly selective liberal arts institution renowned for its robust undergraduate research opportunities and standout programs in environmental studies, economics, government, and the sciences. The student experience is defined by an active, collaborative, and outdoorsy community where undergraduates closely partner with faculty and participate heavily in both civic engagement and NESCAC athletics. What truly sets Colby apart is its innovative Davis Connects program, which guarantees funding for all students to undertake internships, research, or global travel, alongside its signature "Jan Plan" term that allows for immersive, one-month intensive study.


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
Cost of attendance
$85,420
Avg net price
$17,180
Room & board
$17,890
Tuition
$69,600
Books & supplies
$850/yr
Average net price by family income
$0–30k
$4,049
$30–48k
$1,251
$48–75k
$3,666
$75–110k
$12,106
$110k+
$46,511
Admissions
Admit rate
7%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1501
Reading 720760
Math 740790
ACT midpoint
33
Composite 3234
English 3335
Math 2934
SAT range (25th–75th percentile)
40080012001600

Wondering if Colby College is the right fit for you?

Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay Requirements

Colby College accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.

See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.

Outcomes
Graduation rate
89%
4-yr on-time completion
75%
1st-yr retention
94%
Transfer-out rate
7%
8-year outcomes
Graduated
88%
Transferred
8%
Still enrolled
0%
Dropped out / unknown
4%
Median earnings (6yr)
$60,052
Median earnings (10yr)
$80,490
Median debt
$19,157
Monthly loan payment
$203
Debt range (25th–75th)
$8,790$27,000
Debt (90th percentile)
$27,495
Student Body
Men 49%Women 51%
9
:
1
Student : Faculty ratio
Students   Faculty
Pell grant recipients
14%
First-generation
11%
Median family income
$94,859
Avg age at entry
19.0
Part-time students
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
55%
Hispanic
8%
Black
5%
Asian
10%
Two or more
7%
Non-resident
11%
Unknown
3%
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings for graduates across all programs
6 years after entry
$60,052
10 years after entry
$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
Endowment
$1.2B
Classification
Baccalaureate (Arts & Sciences)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions
Full-time faculty
93%
Avg faculty salary
$13,207/mo
Instructional spend/student
$27,972
Federal loan rate
9%

Wondering if Colby College is the right fit for you?

Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Get your college list →See a sample report first