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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.
Located in Waterville, ME, Colby College is a private four-year college. This academic institution uses a 4-1-4 calendar. The selection process is very rigorous, with an acceptance rate of merely 7%. The freshman retention rate at Colby College is 93.39% and the six-year graduation rate is 89%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 3. For transfer students, the 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
89%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Learn some vital info about admission policy and requirements at Colby College.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,360 in 2025. As far as admission difficulty is considered, 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 unmatched educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students 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 first-year 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 freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 98 and 2 between 24-29.
Deadlines
The cutoff date for submitting applications to Colby College is January 3. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for Colby College was 93.39% in 2025, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 89%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the best fit for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 2,412 students.
That year, the school had 92.69% of students coming from another state. There was a total of 2,412 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 269 international students. 10 students enrolled 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
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Colby College.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 246, and the number of Black American students was 115. 202 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 171 identified with more than one race. 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
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Colby College? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition in 2025 was $69,830 for full-time domestic students. As Colby College is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2025 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $3,080.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $850.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
At Colby College, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $18,740. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $9,710, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 69,830 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,740 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 850 |
| Total Expense | $ 89,420 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support available to students. If you wish to find 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, 274 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $73,316.
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 1,030 students who acquired need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Colby College is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 1,030. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $3,317,999, and state $171,921. The students of Colby College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $69,476,150, and external in the amount of $533,590.
$778
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. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like 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 $38,100. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $159,258 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
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. The faculty of this school consists of 249 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 112 male and 134 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has 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. Check out some info about campus life at Colby College.
Its campus spans 714 acres.
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 talent for media and communication? Colby College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Colby College provides a number of services vital for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
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
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Colby College is located in Waterville, ME.
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Colby College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Colby College is 69,830 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Colby College is 7%.
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The most recent data indicate that the 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.
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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.
