Colby College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Colby College
Set on a wooded hill above the Kennebec, Colby College is known for close faculty mentorship and a broad liberal arts curriculum that blends the humanities, social sciences, and the sciences with hands-on research and field experience. Campus resources include modern labs and studios, a respected campus art museum, bright libraries, a full-service recreation center, and student services that cover advising, writing and tutoring support, health and counseling.
And life here leans outdoorsy and collaborative. Students pack their weeks with clubs, community service, student media, and plenty of music and theater, then head for trails, lakes, and ski hills when the weekend hits. Career prep stays practical with internship advising, alumni mentorship, and connections across New England and beyond. Waterville's downtown offers galleries, indie eateries, and real chances to work with local schools and nonprofits. Distinctive touches include a short winter term for focused projects and a campus culture that values tradition without taking itself too seriously.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Colby College offers 44 degree programs across 15 major academic fields, graduating approximately 701 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Social Sciences (4 programs, 190 graduates), Biological Sciences (4 programs, 68 graduates), Psychology (2 programs, 68 graduates), Natural Resources (2 programs, 52 graduates) and Interdisciplinary (4 programs, 47 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Social Sciences (4 programs, 190 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 107 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Political Science and Government | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Anthropology | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 68 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Neuroscience | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1310 |
| Computational Biology | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1104 |
Psychology (2 programs, 68 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 50 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2706 |
Natural Resources (2 programs, 52 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0104 |
| Environmental Studies | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0103 |
Interdisciplinary (4 programs, 47 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Studies | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2001 |
| Science, Technology, and Society | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.1501 |
| Ancient Studies and Civilization | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2201 |
| Human-Computer Interaction | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.3101 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 40 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0102 |
Arts (4 programs, 39 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Arts, General | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Art History and Conservation | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Music | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Theatre Arts | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
Mathematics (3 programs, 38 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0101 |
| Statistics | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0501 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0503 |
Physical Sciences (3 programs, 34 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0501 |
| Physics | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0801 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0601 |
English (2 programs, 29 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
| Creative Writing | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1302 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Colby College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Colby College
How much does it cost to attend Colby College?
The annual tuition at Colby College is $66,600 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $85,420 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $17,120 (on) / $6,100 (off) and books and supplies $850.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Colby College offer?
Colby College offers 44 academic programs across 15 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (4 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (4 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (2 programs)
- Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management (2 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Colby College?
Colby College has an 6.8% acceptance rate and a 49.8% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 17,786
- Students admitted: 1,215
- Students enrolled: 605
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Colby College?
Colby College provides financial aid to 29% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $66,387 and average loans of $14,111.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,116
- State/Local grants: $2,286
- Institutional grants: $65,296
- Federal loans: $5,320
The university supports 281 students with grants and 44 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Colby College graduates?
Colby College graduates earn a median salary of $60,052 after 6 years and $80,490 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $58,383 (25th percentile) to $134,924 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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