Colby College

10/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Waterville, ME
5.0 1 review

#9 Best Value Colleges in America

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

2,412

Location Waterville, Maine
Website colby.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Remote Town

Best Colleges Rank

#39

Size Small
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad

Situated in Waterville, Maine, approximately 75 miles north of Portland, Colby College occupies a 714-acre hilltop campus known for its Georgian-style architecture and views of the Kennebec River Valley. Founded in 1813 as the first New England college to admit women alongside men, Colby operates as a private liberal arts institution maintaining highly selective admission standards. The college offers a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum with notable strengths in environmental studies, economics, and government, while requiring all students to complete a senior capstone project or thesis. Students reside in a fully residential campus community, with housing guaranteed for all four years, and the campus features the Colby College Museum of Art, which houses the largest art collection in Maine. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Mules, participating in the New England Small College Athletic Conference.

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Ratings

Colby College is rated within the top 9% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10.

Overall Rating

10 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

10 out of 10
Value

10 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Colby College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Exceptional

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1460/1550
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 32/34

Acceptance Rate

7.1%

Applications Due Jan 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 46.2%
Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Extreme

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$69,600

Costs for Colby College
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$69,600
Books and Supplies		$850
Other Fees		$2,940
Room and Board		$17,890
Budget for Other Expenses		$850
Total One Year Cost		$92,130

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$73,400 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

91% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Colby College are Social Sciences, General Studies, and Biology. 23% of students major in Social Sciences, 13% in General Studies, and 10% in Biology.