Colby College is a private nonprofit university with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,407 students and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The institution has a 7.1% acceptance rate and a 6-year graduation rate of 89.5%. The cost of attendance is $89,190, with 14.3% of students receiving Pell grants and 10.9% being first-generation students.
Colby College is a highly selective private institution with a 7.1% acceptance rate and 2,407 undergraduates. It maintains a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an 89.5% six-year graduation rate.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 8,479 | 591 | 7% | 300 |
| Women | 9,307 | 624 | 6.7% | 305 |
Colby College admits 7.1% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Colby College has a $89,190 cost of attendance with 14.3% of students receiving Pell grants. The school's substantial $1.2 billion endowment supports its financial aid programs for lower-income students.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $203.
After aid, Colby College costs $17,180 a year — about 24% less than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Colby College has a 6-year graduation rate of 89.5% and median earnings of $60,052 six years after enrollment, rising to $80,490 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 93 |
| Psychology, General | 47 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 37 |
| Computer Science | 30 |
| Environmental Science | 29 |
| Neuroscience | 27 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 26 |
| Chemistry, General | 23 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 18 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | 17 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Colby College are $68,015, and 78% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Colby College students earn $60,052 — 32% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Colby College is a small private nonprofit institution with 2,407 undergraduates and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics, including football, with athletic revenue of $6.9 million annually.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
693 of 2,282 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 2,284 undergraduates study entirely at a distance.
Colby College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
Colby College spends $15,767 per student on research — about 3× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Colby College is in Waterville, ME, in what IPEDS classifies as a town, remote setting. The campus sits about 1.3 miles from the center of Waterville. There are 2 other colleges within 25 miles, and Waterville, ME is 1.3 miles away.
Kennebec County scores 6.6 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — below average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 16.8% of Waterville's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Colby College reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Colby College reported 83 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Colby College admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Colby College has an acceptance rate of 7.1%, making it a highly selective institution. This means admission is competitive, and successful applicants typically have strong academic credentials and demonstrated interest in the college.
The cost of attendance at Colby College is $89,190 per year. This figure typically includes tuition, fees, room, board, and other educational expenses for undergraduate students.
Yes, Colby supports low-income students through financial aid. Approximately 14.3% of students receive Pell grants, and the college's $1.2 billion endowment supports its commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need.
Colby's 6-year graduation rate is 89.5%. Notably, Pell grant recipients graduate at 84.3%, while non-Pell students graduate at 81.0%, demonstrating the college's support across student populations.
Colby graduates earn a median of $60,052 six years after enrollment, increasing to $80,490 by year ten. These earnings reflect the value of a Colby education in the job market.
Colby has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,407 students with a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, providing an intimate learning environment. This size allows for close relationships with professors and personalized education.
Colby's student body is 51.2% women and includes 10.9% first-generation college students. About 14.3% of students receive Pell grants, reflecting economic diversity on campus.
Yes, Colby competes in NCAA Division III and fields a football team along with other sports. The college invests $6.9 million in athletic programs, supporting a strong varsity and club sports culture.
Colby combines selectivity (7.1% acceptance rate) with a strong financial aid commitment and intimate 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Its $1.2 billion endowment supports need-blind admissions and robust support for all students.
First-generation college students make up 10.9% of Colby's student body. The college is committed to supporting these students through comprehensive academic and social resources.