Colby College - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges

Colby College

#25 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)

4 year • Waterville, ME

4 year • Waterville, ME
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Overview

Colby College is a private institution that was founded in 1813. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,299 (fall 2022), and the campus size is 714 acres. It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. Colby College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #25. Its tuition and fees are $66,600.


Colby College is located in Waterville, Maine. Colby’s campus, home to the 128-acre Perkins Arboretum wildlife refuge, is a State Wildlife Management Area. The school also owns a nearby bog preserve and lakefront property for environmental studies. There are approximately 100 student-run clubs and organizations on campus, ranging from the Colby Ballroom Dance Club to the Society Organized Against Racism. More than one-third of students are members of Colby’s intercollegiate varsity sports teams, the Mules. Intramural and club sports are also popular. The majority of students at Colby live on campus in one of the 26 co-ed, mixed-class residence halls.


Colby has more than 50 majors across more than 20 academic departments. The most popular majors are biology, economics, English, history, global studies, government and psychology. Colby’s 4-1-4 academic calendar features the Jan Plan, a four-week term during which students can pursue an internship, independent study or focused course work. Past Jan Plan projects have included a Maine Jewish History research project and an internship with the Department of Justice. More than two-thirds of students study abroad, and Colby runs its own programs in Dijon, France; Salamanca, Spain; and St. Petersburg, Russia. Notable alumni include TV personality Billy Bush and counselor to President Obama Pete Rouse.

Colby College is a private institution that was founded in 1813. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,299 (fall 2022), and the campus size is 714 acres. It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. Colby College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #25. Its tuition and fees are $66,600.


Colby College is located in Waterville, Maine. Colby’s campus, home to the 128-acre Perkins Arboretum wildlife refuge, is a State Wildlife Management Area. The school also owns a nearby bog preserve and lakefront property for environmental studies. There are approximately 100 student-run clubs and organizations on campus, ranging from the Colby Ballroom Dance Club to the Society Organized Against Racism. More than one-third of students are members of Colby’s intercollegiate varsity sports teams, the Mules. Intramural and club sports are also popular. The majority of students at Colby live on campus in one of the 26 co-ed, mixed-class residence halls.


Colby has more than 50 majors across more than 20 academic departments. The most popular majors are biology, economics, English, history, global studies, government and psychology. Colby’s 4-1-4 academic calendar features the Jan Plan, a four-week term during which students can pursue an internship, independent study or focused course work. Past Jan Plan projects have included a Maine Jewish History research project and an internship with the Department of Justice. More than two-thirds of students study abroad, and Colby runs its own programs in Dijon, France; Salamanca, Spain; and St. Petersburg, Russia. Notable alumni include TV personality Billy Bush and counselor to President Obama Pete Rouse.

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At-a-Glance

Setting

N/A

Tuition & Fees

$66,600

Undergraduate Enrollment

2,299

Acceptance Rate

8%

4000 Mayflower Hill, Waterville, ME, 04901

2024 Rankings

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Admissions

Jan. 1

Application Deadline

8%

Acceptance Rate

SAT Range*

1430-1540

ACT Range*

32-34

High School GPA*

N/A

* These are the average scores of applications admitted to this school. Ranges represent admitted applicants who fell within the 25th and 75th percentile.

Will You Get Into Colby College?

College Admissions Calculator

Data provided by U.S. News College Compass Users.

Cost

Tuition & Fees

$66,600

Room & Board

$17,120(2023-24)

Average Need-Based Aid Package

$70,197

$17,739

Annual Cost*

$17,739

Annual Cost*

Tuition & Fees

$66,600

Room & Board

$17,120(2023-24)

Average Need-Based Aid Package

$70,197

*Average cost after aid

Academics

84%

4-Year Graduation Rate

10:1

Student/Faculty Ratio

65%

Classes With Fewer Than 20 Students

Popular Majors

MAJOR

% OF GRADUATES

ALUMNI STARTING SALARY

Social Sciences

25%

N/A

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

11%

N/A

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

9%

N/A

Psychology

8%

N/A

Natural Resources and Conservation

7%

N/A

Social Sciences
25% Percent of Graduates
N/A Alumni Starting Salary
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
11% Percent of Graduates
N/A Alumni Starting Salary
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
9% Percent of Graduates
N/A Alumni Starting Salary
Psychology
8% Percent of Graduates
N/A Alumni Starting Salary
Natural Resources and Conservation
7% Percent of Graduates
N/A Alumni Starting Salary

* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.

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Students

2,299

Undergraduate Enrollment

Graduate Enrollment

N/A

Total Enrollment

2,299

Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students

2,299

Student Diversity

Gender Distribution

Male48%
Female52%

Ethnic Diversity

30%

Minority Enrollment

30%

Minority Enrollment

56%

White

10%

Asian

10%

International

8%

Hispanic

7%

Two or more races

5%

Black

4%

Unknown

Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.

Campus Life

Housing and Dorms

Types of campus housing available:

  • coed dorms
  • apartment for single students
  • special housing for disabled students
  • cooperative housing
  • theme housing
  • wellness housing
  • Student Activities

    59+

    Sports Teams

    N/A

    Fraternities

    N/A

    Sororities

    After College

    Graduation Rate

    84%

    Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)

    18%

    Average Debt at Graduation

    $23,958

    $40,454

    Median Starting Salary of Alumni

    $40,454

    Median Starting Salary of Alumni

    Graduation Rate

    84%

    Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)

    18%

    Average Debt at Graduation

    $23,958

    Reviews & Ratings

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    Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.

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