Acceptance Rate
7%
Avg. SAT
1550
75th percentile
“In remote Maine woods, Colby forges resilient adventurers into sharp thinkers via tiny classes and a signature January of wild projects.”
Waterville, ME
Location
Town
Campus Setting
You'll step into a 1813 Baptist-founded haven that ditched its religious roots long ago for secular rigor, perched on Mayflower Hill overlooking the Kennebec River in tiny Waterville—population 16,000, where moose outnumber traffic jams. Colby draws outdoorsy strivers who crave deep discussions over keg stands, students who pack Patagonia for class and thrive on self-reliance amid brutal winters that test your mettle. The school's personality pulses collaborative and unpretentious, like a family cabin: professors host barbecues, and everyone rallies for hockey games. But here's the tradeoff—you commit to isolation; no buzzing city diversions mean Waterville's quiet arts scene (think indie films at the Railroad Square Cinema) and lake swims become your social pulse, alienating urban party-chasers who wilt without nightlife.
Photo Gallery
+28
+20
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Picture seminars where your econ prof debates market failures over coffee, backed by a 9:1 ratio that dwarfs even fellow NESCACs—your voice shapes every class in this discussion-driven haven. Colby's environmental science reigns supreme, with hands-on labs at the Pugh Center dissecting climate data from Maine's wilds, while government and economics majors dissect policy at model UN simulations. The legendary Jan Plan hijacks January for month-long quests: intern in D.C., backpack the Appalachian Trail for biology credit, or invent a startup—no summer-session drudgery here. Tradeoffs hit if you crave massive labs or niche PhD feeders; research shines for undergrads but lacks Big Ten scale.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
2,412 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
54%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
8%
Asian
11%
Other / Multi-racial
22%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Waterville, ME
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week blends 8 a.m. frosty hikes with the Outing Club, afternoon pickup soccer on the quad, and weekend bonfires thawing the -10°F chill—D3 Mule sports like hockey pack Miller Arena, fueling school spirit sans the rah-rah frenzy. No Greek life clears space for 100+ clubs, from ultimate frisbee to a cappella jams in DavisConnects lounge; first-years bond in dorms before scattering to suite villages with vegan co-ops or global houses. Social scene simmers collaborative, with house parties and lake parties, but challenges loom: remote spot stifles spontaneous hangs (Boston's 3 hours away), and heavy snow buries your Prius. Positives? Lifelong friends forged in adversity, plus substance-free floors for focus.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
New England Small College Athletic Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$3,982
$30K – $48K
$4,519
$48K – $75K
$3,314
$75K – $110K
$15,255
$110K+
$40,947
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
94%
4 Years Graduation Rate
82%
6 Years Graduation Rate
87%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$80,490
94% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Colby College and return in the fall. 82% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 87% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
82%
4-5 years
5%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
12%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$60,840
Acceptance
7%
Undergrads
2,412
4-Year Grad Rate
82%
Endowment
$1.2B
Waterville, ME 04901-8840
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