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Colby College

4 year • Waterville, ME

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

Tuition & Fees

Undergraduate Enrollment

Acceptance Rate

2024 Rankings

Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. Read more about how we rank schools.

• #25 in National Liberal Arts Colleges  (tie)
• #8 in Best Value Schools
• in Computer Science

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High School GPA*

* 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 ?

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Room & Board

$17,120 (2023-24)

Average Need-Based Aid Package

*Average cost after aid

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% OF GRADUATES

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Social Sciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

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* 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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• cooperative housing
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How to Get Into Colby College: Admissions Stats + Tips

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How hard is it to get into colby college, average academic profile of accepted colby college students, what is colby college looking for, how to improve your chances of getting into colby college.

There are numerous features that distinguish Colby from other colleges and make it one of the 15 best liberal arts colleges in the country . One characteristic that sets it apart is the college’s Jan Plan, Colby’s unique 4-1-4 academic calendar that allows students to explore a variety of intensive academic experiences—such as research, internships, or focused study—each January, in between a four-class schedule in the fall and spring.  

Colby offered admission to 1,279 students—from a record-breaking pool of 15,857 applicants —to its Class of 2025. This gives Colby an exceptionally low 8% acceptance rate .  

Colby College’s acceptance rate is incredibly low, but your chances of admission are tied to the strength of your profile. CollegeVine’s free admissions calculator can help you better understand your odds at Colby. It uses metrics like GPA and test scores, along with factors like extracurricular activities, to estimate your likelihood of acceptance and provide tips to improve your profile. 

Colby hasn’t published the high school GPA of an incoming class in years, but it’s important to know that you will need excellent academics for serious consideration at the college. 

The median SAT score of Colby’s Class of 2025 is 1520 . Their median ACT score is 34 .

Roughly 95% of Colby’s Class of 2025 graduated in the top tenth of their high school class. 

Colby looks to field interesting classes populated with fascinating and intellectually curious students from a variety of backgrounds. Colby’s Class of 2025 comes from 48 states and 60 countries and 35% of the Class of 2025 identifies as a person of color. 

It’s not just geographic and racial diversity that Colby courts, it’s also financial. The “ Colby Commitment ” is the college’s pledge to meet 100% of each admitted student’s demonstrated financial need without loans.

How Colby College Evaluates Applications

Colby College hasn’t made its Common Data Set available since the 2015-2016 admissions cycle . Between their 2015-2016 Common Data Set and the information available from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), it’s safe to assume that Colby College considers the following factors “very important” :

• Course rigor
• Recommendations 

These factors are “important” :

• Test scores 
• Extracurricular activities 
• Racial/ethnic status

These are “considered” :

• Geographic residence
• State residence 
• Volunteer work 
• Work experience 
• Applicant interest 

And these are “not considered” :

• Religious affiliation

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

1. Achieve the highest GPA possible while taking the most challenging classes available

Approximately 95% of Colby’s Class of 2025 graduated in the top tenth of their high school class. For serious consideration as a Colby applicant, you’ll need to earn all, or almost all, As in the most challenging classes available. It’s common for applicants at highly selective schools such as Colby to have completed anywhere between five and 12 AP classes . 

To expedite processing all-time-high numbers of applications, top-tier schools like Colby use a tool known as Academic Index , which is an encapsulation of your entire academic performance by a single number. If your Academic Index fails to meet Colby’s standards, you risk being labeled as academically unqualified and not having your application given serious consideration. 

If you’re a freshman or sophomore and your GPA is below Colby’s standards, there is still time to raise it. Check out our tips for increasing your GPA . Improving your GPA is more challenging if you’re a junior or senior. If you’re later in your high school career, the best method to improve your Academic Index is to earn high test scores.

2. Recommendations 

Colby requires you to submit three letters of recommendation with your application: one from your counselor and two from teachers. An advisor recommendation puts your academic experience in context and may share insight into your involvement with the school community. Teacher recommendations provide a view of your abilities and strengths in the classroom and hint at your potential as a student. 

Teachers are busy, often called upon to compose multiple recommendations a year, and not compensated for writing them. Because receiving an attention-grabbing recommendation can mean the difference from receiving an acceptance or rejection letter from Colby in the spring, it’s essential to ask the right teacher, provide them with the supporting material they need, and leave them enough time to author a compelling recommendation. The nine rules for requesting letters of recommendation from teachers provide a good guideline for getting a great letter. 

3. Aim for a 1520 SAT and 34 ACT (use the 75th percentile)

The median SAT score of Colby’s Class of 2025 is 1520 . Their median ACT score is 34 . A score near the median is good, but anything better than it will improve your odds of admission. Colby superscores all exams, which makes sitting for the SAT or ACT two or three times a sound strategy for maximizing your score. To improve your SAT/ACT score, check out these free CollegeVine resources:

• How to Get a Perfect 1600 Score on the SAT
• How to Get a Perfect 36 Score on the ACT
• More SAT Info and Tips
• More ACT Info and Tips

Colby transitioned to test-optional admissions in 2018, however, CollegeVine recommends taking either the SAT or ACT if you can do so safely. Students who submit test scores are admitted at higher rates than those who do not. Not sure whether you should apply test-optional or not? You can get recommendations on whether or not you should apply test-optional using our free chancing engine . 

4. Write engaging essays

Colby urges applicants to “tell us your story” and there is no better place to do this than the essay—essays are simply one of the best ways to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Whether you’re applying with the Common Application or the Coalition Application, you’ll need to complete the coinciding personal essay. 

When writing your essay, it’s important to write in your own unique voice. A winning college essay will also highlight your interests, accomplishments, and strengths, along with how you’ll fit on campus, and how the college will benefit from having you there. 

5. Cultivate one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars

Nearly every applicant to Colby will have outstanding academics, which makes it vital that you find other avenues, like extracurricular activities, to set yourself apart. According to Colby , they want you to “emphasize your dedication to both academic and extracurricular activities.”

Not every extracurricular activity holds equal weight in college admissions, some are more influential than others. The four tiers of extracurriculars offer a useful explanation for understanding how colleges like Colby view your activities outside of the classroom. 

• Tier 1 extracurricular activities are the rarest and most impressive. These activities demonstrate exceptional achievement or leadership—for example, winning a prestigious national award or attending a renowned merit-based summer program. 
• Tier 2 activities also exemplify great achievement and leadership but are more common and a little less influential to admissions than those of Tier 1. Tier 2 activities include winning a well-known state-level competition, serving as student body president, or holding a leadership position in a club. 
• Tier 3 extracurricular activities highlight your interest outside of the classroom but don’t have the same prestige or weight as those in the higher tiers. Examples of Tier 3 activities include holding a minor leadership position in a club, captaining a varsity sport, or playing in a regional music ensemble. 
• Tier 4 extracurriculars are the least influential and most commonly seen by admissions officials. These include participating in a club, playing a sport, or general volunteer work. 

6. Apply Early Decision

Colby College has three admissions processes: early decision I (ED I), early decision II (ED II), and regular decision (RD). Applying early decision can improve your chances at a school like Colby that has an extremely low overall 8% acceptance rate. In general, students who apply ED have higher acceptance rates than those who apply RD. 

Early decision I and II typically have higher acceptance rates, but those come at a cost. ED is binding at Colby and by applying ED, you’re committing to attend the college if accepted. This makes ED best for students who are positive that they want to attend Colby.  

How to Apply to Colby College

Application requirements.

Colby accepts the Common Application, the Coalition Application, and the QuestBridge Application. Other required materials at Colby include: 

• Transcript 
• Secondary school report 
• Counselor recommendation 
• Two teacher recommendations 

Optional admissions application materials include:

• SAT/ACT scores 
• Art supplement 
• Additional letters of recommendation 

Learn more about Colby College

Want to learn more about Colby? Check out some of our resources below!

• What Does it Really Cost to Attend Colby College?
• The 15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the U.S.
• What Are the Little Ivies and NESCAC?

Want to know your chances at Colby? Calculate your chances for free right now .

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• WATERVILLE, ME

Colby College This college has been claimed by the college or a college representative.

• grade  A Overall Grade
• Rating 3.85 out of 5   635 reviews

Report Card

• Academics grade  A+
• Value grade  A
• Diversity grade  A+
• Campus grade  C minus
• Athletics grade  B minus
• Party Scene grade  B
• Professors grade  A
• Location grade  C minus
• Dorms grade  C minus
• Campus Food grade  C
• Student Life grade  C+
• Safety grade  B minus
• Common App Accepted
• No Application Fee
• SAT/ACT Optional

Founded in 1813, Colby College is one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges, serving only undergraduates. Colby’s academic programs, including 57 majors and 36 minors, are anchored to the world’s most complex challenges. Colby’s campus experience is built on a culture of shared success. Newly developed programs include the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence, computational biology, and digital humanities.

Colby is committed to ensuring the most talented students from all backgrounds have access to the best possible education. Colby meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need without loans. DavisConnects guarantees all students have access to at least one internship, research experience, and global experience related to their areas of interest during their time at Colby, and provides individual advising to all Colby students beginning in their first year. Colby has no application fee, no extra supplements to submit, and test scores are optional.

• Visit Colby
• The Colby Commitment

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Colby college rankings.

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

• Best Colleges with No Application Fee in America 5 of 684
• Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America 20 of 309
• Best Small Colleges in America 21 of 968
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• Political Science and Government 76 Graduates
• Economics 74 Graduates
• Mathematics 47 Graduates
• Environmental Science 46 Graduates
• Computer Science 43 Graduates
• Psychology 39 Graduates
• Biology 35 Graduates
• Neuroscience and Neurobiology 30 Graduates
• International Studies 29 Graduates
• History 28 Graduates

Interdisciplinary Innovation

It’s the hallmark of the liberal arts experience: the opportunity to explore your interests broadly and to specialize in the field (or fields) of your interest. At Colby our centers, partners, and multidisciplinary curriculum gives you the flexibility to always be discovering and the skills and connections you need to stake your path.

• Unique, outdoorsy, and a little nerdy 25%
• Passionate about something 19%
• Work hard and play hard 15%
• Outgoing and friendly 12%
• Work really hard and Play even harder 11%
• Friendly, laid back, yet hard working 7%

Campus Life

• Explore your interests freely 19%
• Intellectual 15%
• Supportive 12%
• Underrated 12%
• White, Outdoorsy, but Welcoming 11%
• Athletic, Smart, Quirky, Likes having fun 9%

Instagram Posts

After college, colby college reviews.

• Rating 5 out of 5   Excellent 205   reviews ( 32 %)
• Rating 4 out of 5   Very Good 217   reviews ( 34 %)
• Rating 3 out of 5   Average 156   reviews ( 25 %)
• Rating 2 out of 5   Poor 29   reviews ( 5 %)
• Rating 1 out of 5   Terrible 28   reviews ( 4 %)
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Observe Memorial Day with these events in southern Maine

Tons of towns have parades and ceremonies happening Monday.

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Kids and adults gather at a Memorial Day parade to honor and celebrate veterans in South Portland. Sofia Aldinio/ Staff Photographer

BATH 10 a.m. Monday. Parade begins at 200 Congress Ave. and concludes at Library Park and will be followed by a wreath-laying service at 11 a.m.

BERWICK 11 a.m. Monday. Parade begins at Berwick Town Hall/Sullivan Square and proceeds to Lord’s Cemetery by way of Wilson and Allen streets. After a ceremony there, the parade will continue down Saw Mill Hill Street with a pause at the Somersworth-Berwick Bridge for a brief memorial service for those lost at sea. The parade ends at Sullivan Square with a memorial service honoring area veterans.

BIDDEFORD-SACO Opening ceremony at 9:55 a.m. Monday at Saco City Hall. Parade starts at 10 a.m. from Saco City Hall and proceeds along Main Street and down York Hill into Biddeford, continues along Main Street, onto Alfred Street and finishes at Veteran’s Memorial Park with a closing ceremony at 10:45 a.m.

BRUNSWICK-TOPSHAM 9 a.m. Monday. Parade proceeds from Topsham Town Hall, pauses for observances while crossing the Brunswick-Topsham bridge, and concludes at the Brunswick Mall.

CAPE ELIZABETH 9 a.m. Monday. Parade begins at the middle school parking lot, turns right on Scott Dyer Road, right onto Route 77 and ends at the village green adjacent to the town hall. A brief ceremony and laying of the wreath will be held at the Village Green after the parade.

CUMBERLAND 8 a.m. Monday. Kids run at Greely High School followed by 5K Run and Remember race at 8:30 a.m. Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Mabel I. Wilson School and ends at the veterans’ monument in Moss Side Cemetery in Cumberland Center, where a ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Advertisement

FALMOUTH 10 a.m. Monday. Parade proceeds from 65 Depot Road (Falmouth American Legion) to Pine Grove Park, where a ceremony will be held.

FREEPORT 9:30 a.m. Monday. Parade proceeds from Holbrook Street, heads north on Main and makes a right onto School Street, then right onto Park Street, ending in Memorial Park. There will be a small ceremony in Memorial Park starting at 10 a.m.

GORHAM 11 a.m. Monday. Parade starts at Village School (12 Robie St.) and ends at Eastern Cemetery on Johnson Road.

GRAY 11:30 a.m. Monday. Parade leaves the Russell School (8 Gray Park), proceeds to Shaker Road and continues to the Soldiers Monument at the intersection of Routes 26 and 3 for a wreath-laying ceremony. Parade continues north to the American Legion Post (15 Lewiston Road) for a closing ceremony.

LYMAN 1 p.m. Monday. Parade starts at Waterhouse Road/Mill Pond in Goodwins Mills and ends at the Lyman Town Hall on South Waterboro Road.

NEW GLOUCESTER 9 a.m. Monday. Parade leaves from Memorial Elementary School (86 Intervale Road) and heads down Intervale Road to Route 100/202 to Veterans Park for a memorial service. The parade will reconvene and go down Peacock Hill Road, then take a left on Gilmore Road. Advertisement

OLD ORCHARD BEACH 1 p.m. Monday. Parade starts at the corner of Ballpark Way and E. Emerson Cumming Boulevard and proceeds down Saco Avenue, Old Orchard Beach Street to First Street and ends at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

PORTLAND 2 p.m. Monday. The procession starts at Longfellow School (432 Stevens Ave.) and ends at Evergreen Cemetery for a commemoration ceremony.

SANFORD 10 a.m. Monday. The parade starts at the Sanford Armory (88 William Oscar Emery Drive), proceeds up Gowen Park Drive and ends at Central Park.

SCARBOROUGH 10 a.m. Monday. Parade starts at Scarborough High School, turns onto Route 114 and then Route 1, past town offices to the Maine Veterans Home and concludes with a ceremony there.

SOUTH PORTLAND 10:30 a.m. Monday. Parade starts at Southern Maine Community College parking lot, proceeds down Broadway to the Veterans Monument for a short Memorial Day recognition service.

WELLS 9 a.m. Monday. Parade starts at Wells High School (200 Sanford Road) and proceeds to Ocean View Cemetery for a ceremony and musical performances. Advertisement

WESTBROOK 10 a.m. Monday. Parade proceeds down Main Street and will be followed by a ceremony in Riverbank Park.

WINDHAM 9 a.m. Monday. Parade starts at Windham Town Hall and proceeds onto Route 202 toward Windham High School. At 10 a.m., there will be a ceremony in front of Windham’s Veterans Memorial Flagpole at Windham High School.

YARMOUTH 10 a.m. Monday. Parade leaves from Yarmouth High School (286 West Elm St.) and proceeds to the Memorial Green at Town Hall for a ceremony.

YORK 10 a.m. Monday. Parade starts near St. Christopher’s Church (4 Barrell Lane) and proceeds down York Street to York Town Hall.

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