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PrivateTown

Colby College

Waterville, Maine 04901-8840

Campus Vibe

Small & IntimateRuralHighly SelectivePrivateSTEM StrongClose Faculty Access

Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings

Colby College is a private town institution in Waterville, Maine. Admission is competitive, with an average SAT of 1500.

A mid-sized campus of 2.3K undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

90% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $80,490 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,939.

Established

1813

Motto

Lux Mentis Scientia

Mascot

Morty the Mule

Type

Private liberal arts college

Conference

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III

Campus Visits

4 upcoming visits · Next: Tue, Apr 14 · Campus Visit

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7%Acceptance

1500SAT Avg

2,282Students

9:1Student:Faculty

90%Grad Rate

$80,490Earnings 10yr

$23,939Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Colby College Launches New Data Science Minor

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tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

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Admissions

Acceptance Rate6.8%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1500

Reading & WritingMid: 720

710760

MathMid: 745

730790

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 33

3234

Admissions

Test-OptionalNo Demonstrated InterestHolistic ReviewOn-Campus Interviews

Application Platforms

Common App

Early Decision (Binding)

November 15

Decision by Mid-December

Aid deadline: November 15

Early Decision II (Binding)

January 3

Decision by Mid-February

Regular Decision

January 3

Decision by Late March

Reply by May 1

Colby is permanently test-optional, allowing students to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores

Colby requires supplemental essays exploring why Colby and personal perspectives

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Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

6.8%

Trend

SAT Avg

1500

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$66,600

Room & Board$17,120

Books & Supplies$850

Total Cost of Attendance$81,550

Average Net Price$23,939

Median Debt at Graduation$19,157

Monthly Payment (10yr)$203

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$6,072

$30–48K$1,331

$48–75K$2,247

$75–110K$15,937

$110K+$52,893

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$23,939

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

91.3%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,000

SAT Range	Avg Award	Note
1400-1600	$25,000	Academic merit scholarship
1200-1399	$15,000	Dean's scholarship
1000-1199	$8,000	Achievement award

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

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Academics

Core/Distribution Requirements4-1-4Phi Beta KappaFirst-Year SeminarCustom MajorsDouble Major OK

Majors

Avg class size

Student-faculty ratio

10:1

Study abroad

0.67%

Colby has distributional requirements across arts, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, diversity, quantitative reasoning, and a foreign language requirement or W-course

Research: Extensive research opportunities through summer research programs and DavisConnects

Thesis: Honors thesis available across departments

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Programs (38)

Student Life

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Student Body

Undergrads

2,282

Gender Split

51% / 49%

Women / Men

First Generation

11%

Pell Grant Recipients

13%

Race & Ethnicity

White 54%

Black 5%

Hispanic 8%

Asian 11%

Two+ 7%

Int'l 11%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate90.2%

Freshman Retention90.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$60,052

8 Years$68,015

10 Years$80,490

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women

$59,600

Men

$85,000

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Rankings

U.S. News

#25

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Forbes

#89

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Washington Monthly

#24

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Niche

#16

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More About This School

Rankings

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History & Fun Facts

•History 19th century On February 27, 1813, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, led by Baptists, adopted a petition to establish the Maine Literary and Theological Institution.
•It was moved to Waterville, Maine, and used 179 acres of land donated by citizens.
•In 1818, trustees assigned the institution to Jeremiah Chaplin and classes began in a vacant Waterville home.
•After Maine separated from Massachusetts in 1820, the first Maine legislature affirmed the Massachusetts charter for the institution, but made significant changes.
•The Maine Literary and Theological Institution was renamed Waterville College on February 5, 1821, and four years later, the theological department was discontinued.

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Source: Wikipedia