Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
Waterville , ME
Colby College is a private liberal arts college located in Waterville, Maine. Founded in 1813, it is one of the oldest colleges in the United States and is internationally recognized for its excellence in academics. With a strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, Colby offers its students a vibrant and rigorous educational experience that prepares them for successful careers and active citizenship.
At Colby College, students have access to a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines. The college offers majors in more than 58 fields of study, including humanities, sciences, social sciences, and interdisciplinary programs. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, Colby ensures that students receive individual attention and have ample opportunities for research, mentorship, and intellectual exploration.
Colby College's picturesque 714-acre campus provides a beautiful environment for learning and personal growth. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science laboratories, prestigious art galleries, a performing arts center, and a renowned museum that houses an extensive collection of American art. The college also offers numerous extracurricular activities, including over 150 student organizations, varsity and club sports, and a strong commitment to community service, making for a vibrant and diverse student life experience.
Colby College is a private four-year college located in Waterville, ME. This academic institution uses a 4-1-4 calendar. Given an acceptance rate of only 7%, admissions is consider very competative. The freshman retention rate at Colby College is 93.39% and the six-year graduation rate is 88%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 3. The transfer application deadline is July 1.
Here are some recent data on important things to consider about Colby College.
Quick Facts
2,412
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$69,830
Tuition
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
88%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. Check out some vital data about admission at Colby College.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,360 in 2025. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an outstanding educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 36% and ACT scores 16%. 95.98% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 3.57% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 0.44% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 98 and 2 between 24-29.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 3. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Colby College was 93.39%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 88%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Colby College in 2025 was 2,412.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 92.69. There was a total of 2,412 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 269 international students. 10 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,175 male and 1,232 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 246, while the number of Black American students was 115. 202 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 171 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 4 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 77 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some important facts on Colby College costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Colby College estimated tuition fees.
In 2025, tuition amounted to $69,830 for all full-time domestic students. Colby College is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $3,080.
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial factor. Most students have to give about $850 for books and supplies during their time at Colby College.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Colby College was $18,740 per academic year. If you only needed a dormitory room, you had to pay $9,710 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 69,830 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,740 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 850 |
| Total Expense | $ 89,420 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for many students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Colby College, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 273 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $69,458.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 959 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Colby College is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 960. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $2,582,137, and state $134,596. The students of Colby College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $61,721,520, and external in the amount of $403,599.
$474
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $14,700. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $37,000 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Colby College was 10:1: that means 10 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 249 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 112 men and 134 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Colby College.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Colby College is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some info about campus life at Colby College.
Its campus is 714 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a passion for media and communication? Colby College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Colby College has a number of services necessary for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
All in all, campus life at Colby College is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Colby College.
Career Counselling
At Colby College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
Colby College is located in Waterville, ME.
-
Colby College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
According to the latest information, the tuition for Colby College is 69,830 USD a year.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Colby College is 7%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Colby College is 93.39%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.