Colby College

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Waterville, ME

$56,930

Avg tuition

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Discover programs by subject area to find the best college for your future.

Search All Programs

Work here? Claim your school's profile

About Colby College

School Type: Private

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

Colby College is a small private college located on a rural campus in Waterville, Maine. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,155, and admissions are extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of 10%. The college offers 47 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 90%, and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1. Tuition and fees for students are $56,930.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a highly selective acceptance rate.

This school is very selective about its students. Selective schools welcome 1-14% of all applicants.

10% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

91% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

Students graduate from this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This is typically an indication of a school's quality and means most students finish their degree in a timely manner.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

90% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Considered (not required)

High school transcript Required

High school rank Considered (not required)

Letter of recommendation Required

High school GPA Considered (not required)

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Recommended

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Considered (not required)

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Implied no

Credit for qualified life experience* Implied no

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

Students who attend this school typically have higher standardized test scores than students at other schools.

While test scores can be an important aspect of college applications, schools determine admission based on several factors, and these test scores are only a suggested range.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

ACT 25th-75th Percentile 31-34

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1380-1520

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of fewer than 5,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

2k

Students enrolled

77%

Online student enrollment

10:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

On-campus Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

White

61%

Non-U.S. Citizen

9%

Asian

9%

Hispanic

8%

Two or more races

6%

Black

5%

Unknown

3%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

53%

Socio-economic diversity

18% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Explore Similar Schools

Bates College

Lewiston, ME · Private · Non-profit

View School

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME · Private · Non-profit

#5 Ranked in Best Philosophy Programs

View School

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH · Private · Non-profit

#2 Ranked in Fastest Master's in Public Health Programs

View School

Saint Anselm College

Manchester, NH · Private · Non-profit

View School

University of New England

Biddeford, ME · Private · Non-profit

#2 Ranked in Best Colleges in Maine 2023

View School

Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME · Public · Non-profit

View School

Husson University

Bangor, ME · Private · Non-profit

View School

Colby-Sawyer College

New London, NH · Private · Non-profit

View School

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME · Private · Non-profit

#8 Ranked in Best Online Radiologic Technology Programs of 2023

View School

Thomas College

Waterville, ME · Private · Non-profit

View School

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

18%

State Grant Aid

3%

Institution Grant Aid

40%

Pell Grant

18%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $6,493
State Grant Aid $1,500
Institution Grant Aid $52,697
Pell Grant Aid $4,984

Financial Outlook

$20k

Average student debt after graduation

$50k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division III with football

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Basketball
  • Field Hockey
  • Golf
  • Ice Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Rowing
  • Skiing
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track Field Outdoor
  • Baseball
  • Basketball

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

1

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies

BA

MA

DOC

2

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

3

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

4

Education

BA

MA

DOC

5

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

6

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

BA

MA

DOC

7

History

BA

MA

DOC

8

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

9

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

BA

MA

DOC

10

Natural Resources And Conservation

BA

MA

DOC

11

Philosophy And Religious Studies

BA

MA

DOC

12

Physical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

13

Psychology

BA

MA

DOC

14

Social Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

15

Visual And Performing Arts

BA

MA

DOC

Resource

Financial Aid Overview

Resource

Understanding Grants & Scholarships

Explore Rankings

Explore More Resources

Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2020-2021]. In the absence of IPED data, information was collected directly from the school and is accurate as of the date of collection. Contact the school directly for the most current and complete information.