About Colby College

Founded in 1813, Colby College. is a Private college. Located in Maine, which is a city setting in Maine, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 1,879 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.

The Colby College Academic calendar runs on a Four-one-four plan basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 214 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Colby College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate18%
Application Deadline15-Nov
Application Fee0
SAT Range1270-1470
ACT Range30-33

Admissions at are considered Most Selective, with ,11% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 5 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

99% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 90% were in the top quarter, and 61% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Colby College.

11%
“We”re apathetic”
32%
“We know about current events and vote”
47%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
11%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
29%
“Sometimes, but not often”
47%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
24%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
39%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
53%
“I feel extremely safe”
4%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
92%
“We bought the gear”
4%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
32%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
55%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
5%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
26%
“They keep regular office hours”
74%
“They”re always available”
92%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
8%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
0%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
61%
“We only party on weekends”
37%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
5%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
63%
“There might be people who do”
29%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
3%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
11%
“We”re apathetic”
32%
“We know about current events and vote”
47%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
11%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
29%
“Sometimes, but not often”
47%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
24%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
39%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
53%
“I feel extremely safe”
4%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
92%
“We bought the gear”
4%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
32%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
55%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
5%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
26%
“They keep regular office hours”
74%
“They”re always available”
92%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
8%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
0%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
61%
“We only party on weekends”
37%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
5%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
63%
“There might be people who do”
29%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
3%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    34 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 12 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    23 Students rated off-campus housing 2.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    34 Students rated campus food 4 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    33 Students rated campus facilities 4.4 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    33 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    32 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    32 Students rated local services 3.2 stars. 9 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    33 Students rated academics 4 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

Colby College REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Colby College?

10 Students rated Colby College

Billiam - 09/12/2024

A very nerdy, outdoorsy school. People study really hard. Lots of socially awkward people. There are parties on weekends, but that party scene has been described as lackluster. I don't party personally though. The athletes keep to themselves, and most normal people on campus do not like athletes. The football team is especially hated. The athletic center is very nice though. The academics are top notch. The career center is amazing too. One dorm in particular sucks, though they are going to renovate it some time soon. The food is a solid 8/10.

Fathiya - 04/30/2020

Amazing people, professors, and a boatload of opportunities for an and all students. Top tier academics so they'll always be a challenge, but you'll have many people ready and willing to support you. Some shortcomings, but you have to take the crookeds with the straights. Overall a great school.

Annie - 01/28/2020

I love Colby College. I met my closest friends and have learned a lot both in and out of class. It is very important to be involved in clubs here because it allows you to find like-minded people. I am now a senior and feel prepared to enter the real world.

Claudia - 01/27/2020

Colby College is an elite liberal arts college. It offers a wide variety of academic programs, with extremely knowledgeable professors. Additionally, the campus is beautiful! The picturesque view from the Miller library steps never ceases to amaze me. Classes are definitely challenging, with nightly readings and problem sets. However, all of the amazing opportunities to collaborate with professors make it worth it!

Colby College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Colby College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Colby College is 18%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    My best advice is that just like in love there is no one perfect person for another, you/your child will have an opportunity to succeed and be happy at a myriad of instituions. So, in short, don't put too much presure on yourself to get into one single school.

    Read all 35 answers

  3. Describe the students at your school.

    Colby kids come in all different shapes and sizes but they all have their special somethings if you take the time to look.

    Read all 33 answers

  4. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Everyone thinks that students at Colby drink a lot because there is nothing better to do on the weekends in Waterville, Maine.

    Read all 32 answers

  5. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Not at all. The majority may be rich, but there is a certain humility and a willingness to hear and learn.

    Read all 30 answers

  6. What are the academics like at your school?

    You get to know your professors very well. Some of them even friend you on facebook! You end up spending way too much time with your professors outside of class - it sometimes becomes a form of procrastination... Most unique class - Creativity and Communication over Jan Plan - class on bookmaking There isn't much of a competitive atmosphere, but one hears lots of intellectual (and not so intellectual) conversation in the dining halls. The curriculum and corresponding efforts are more along the lines of "knowledge for knowledge's sake", but it would be nice (not to mention even necessary) to gear more of it towards today's job market pressures.

    Read all 29 answers

  7. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Acappela groups are the most popular - both in terms of events and participation. Unfortunately, athletics don't seem to garner as much student support/turnout. Dating scene is pretty slim. The campus is too small - everyone is someone's best bud or the other... too many complications! If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday, I'm either running regressions or writing up proofs...or filling out Colby surveys... Traditions - COOT, Mr.Colby, Doghead, Champagne on the Steps, Bassett and Boylan Halloween Readings, etc. We don't have frats - thank god! Last weekend - I acted in a Theater dept. play, attended an island themed semi-formal, worked on my honors thesis, rehearsed a bulgarian folk dance piece for Colby Dancers, took a trip into downtown Waterville...and of course, gorged on waffles over brunch in Foss.

    Read all 27 answers

  8. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Size is just right - all the better to really get to know your peers AND your professors. If I could change one thing - I'd move Colby to CA or LA (minus the hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) No, seriously, Waterville could use a facelift - start up some sort of cafe culture, have more host families from within the community (who have no direct connection to Colby), etc. I spend most of my time in either of my academic major buildings - Diamond Lab or the Mudd seminar room! Colby's administration can be a bit hasty with decisions, but you can't blame them for not trying. On the whole, quite supportive and willing to incorporate students' opinions. Can aim for better transparency, particularly regarding budget allocation and spending which affects clubs and on-campus programming. On the downside, majority of students don't have a lot of faith in the admin and criticism is rampant. Must work on image and perception. School pride - depends on the athletic season and/or how Bowdoin and Bates are faring! Unusual - oh yes! People are very friendly. And if you look carefully enough and take the time to get to know everyone, this is an EXTREMELY diverse population, and not just for the no. of nationalities represented.

    Read all 27 answers

  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    colby is a great school, but, as is the case with every college, it is not for everyone.

    Read all 14 answers

  10. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    It is a wonderful little community with good professors and a great place to find great friends.

    Read all 10 answers

  11. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known what an idiot the swim coach was.

    Read all 10 answers

  12. What's unique about your campus?

    The sense of tradition, community, and shared ideology that is fostered on campus.

    Read all 6 answers

  13. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    small classes, good dining hall food, access to lots of outdoor activities

    Read all 6 answers

  14. What kind of person should attend this school?

    There is no typical Colby student, as we all have our quirks and geek streaks of sorts. If I were to provide a checklist, though, it'd be the following: outdoorsy, loves winter, does not mind dressing in layers (it's Maine, what can I say?), hits the books hard--but leaves time for partying, actviely volunteers, probably involved in three more clubs than said student can actually handle, outgoing, well-acquainted with libraries, and is an overall rounded student with good time management skills.

    Read all 5 answers

  15. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    This is a good question. My college offers a wide variety of interests which is really good for people exploring what they want to do, but if someone was really interested in a specific field (engineering, marine biology, etc.), I would advise them to go to a school that could better cater to that specific interest. Also, if someone is looking for a large college atmosphere complete with fraternities and sororities and also wants to live off-campus, this isn't the school for them. It is small, and there is no greek-life.

    Read all 5 answers

  16. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Money. It's expensive, financial aid is not as wonderful as they promise, unless you are dirt poor, and it is not very socioeconomically diverse. Most students come from "20 minutes outside of Boston" and people will look at you funny if you tell them you pay your own money to go here.

    Read all 3 answers

  17. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    the most fristrating thing about my school is the work load.

    Read all 2 answers

  18. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Definitely that we are all rich kids who are products of New England prep schools. Also that everyone here will tell you that they are from Boston despite the fact that they live 20 minutes outside in wealthy suburbs such as Marblehead, Weston, Duxbury, etc. Overall I'd say this is a very accurate assumption and that over half the student population fits at least one of the aforementioned stereotypes.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

52%

female

48%

male

1,879

Total Undergrad Enrollment

N/A

Total Grad Students

80%

Out-Of-State

8%

In-State

12%

International

Organizations

103

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

98%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
6%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
7%
% White or Caucasian
62%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

48% of students attending Colby College receive some sort of financial aid. 7% were awarded federal grants. While 19% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$50,960

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$732

Books and Supplies

$13,100

Room and Board

64,792

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$6,481
$30 - $48K
$15,007
$48 - $75K
$17,088
$75 - $110K
$20,451
$110K & UP
$37,890

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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