Colby College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Waterville, Maine · Private nonprofit · Most selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Colby College is a private nonprofit university in Waterville, Maine that admits about 7% of applicants, making it a most selective school. The average family pays about $17,180 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Economics, Political Science and Government and Natural Resources Conservation and Research, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 4.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Colby College is a private institution located in Waterville, Maine and one of the most selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Colby College admits fewer than 1 in 10 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 7%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1501 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,180 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Colby College?
Successful applicants to Colby College typically present unweighted GPAs at or near 4.0 with the most rigorous course load their school offers, including multiple AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses.
SAT and ACT scores Colby College typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 740–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 720. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 32–34. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1501 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| 25th percentile | 32 |
| 50th percentile | 33 |
| 75th percentile | 34 |
How much does Colby College actually cost?
Published tuition is $69,600 for in-state students and $69,600 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,890 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $17,180 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 14% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $17,180 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Colby College
Most popular majors at Colby College
The most popular undergraduate programs at Colby College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Political Science and Government and Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Across all programs, Colby College confers roughly 410 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $142,245 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 89 | $142,245 |
| Political Science and Government | 76 | $92,125 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 52 | $53,972 |
| Computer Science | 45 | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | 42 | $79,364 |
| Psychology, General | 41 | $65,101 |
| Biology, General | 38 | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 27 | — |
Is Colby College safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Colby College disclosed 10 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 4.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 10 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for Colby College
Common questions parents ask about Colby College
What GPA do I need for Colby College?
Successful applicants to Colby College typically present unweighted GPAs at or near 4.0 with the most rigorous course load their school offers, including multiple AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses.
What SAT or ACT score does Colby College typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 740–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 720. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 32–34.
How much does Colby College actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Colby College after grants and scholarships is $17,180 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $69,600. Budget against the net figure.
Is Colby College realistic for my child?
Colby College admits 7% of applicants, so 740–790 SAT Math is target range and below 740 is a reach. Then check the $17,180 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Colby College?
Colby College accepts about 7% of applicants. That makes it a most selective school.
Is Colby College a public or private school, and where is it located?
Colby College is a private nonprofit institution located in Waterville, Maine.
What are the most popular majors at Colby College?
The largest undergraduate majors at Colby College by annual graduates are Economics, Political Science and Government and Natural Resources Conservation and Research. The school awards about 410 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Colby College safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Colby College reported 10 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 4.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Colby College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers