Overview
Located in Waterville, Maine, Colby College boasts a unique academic schedule called the Jan Plan, which gives students all of January to focus on one specific class, internship, or project. The scenic campus is also home to a wildlife refuge and has many opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty.
There are currently 2,282 undergraduates at Colby and the school’s acceptance rate is 7%. The tuition at Colby is $66,600.
Liberal Arts
Town
100% Need
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$85,420
$61,481
$23,939
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$85,420The sticker price at Colby is $85,420. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Colby would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Colby College Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Colby you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Colby is 002039 and the CSS Profile Code is 3280.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Maine scholarshipsColby College QuestBridge Scholarships
Colby is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Colby College through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
Colby College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Colby meets 100% of admitted students’ financial need. Using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, they calculate your need and offer a combination of scholarships and federal loans to cover any costs you and your family cannot pay.
No Loan Policy at Colby
Colby is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Colby's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
National Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Colby College? Colby offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Colby's website for more information!
Pell Grants at Colby College
13% of students at Colby College receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Colby. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Colby College Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Colby, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.colby.edu/sfs/applying-for-financial-aid/
- Email: sfs@colby.edu
- Phone: 207-859-4132
Admissions
7%
33
1445
Coalition Colleges
Colby is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Colby via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Colby College charge an application fee?
Good news! Colby College does not charge application fees, so you can apply for free. If you think there is any chance you’d like to attend Colby College, consider sending in an application since it will not cost you anything.
Is Colby test-optional?
Colby College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Colby?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Colby College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
What is the application deadline at Colby?
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
9:1
Graduation Rate
90%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
29%
29% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
16%
16% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
8%
8% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
7%
7% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Psychology
6%
6% of graduates
Physical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
English Language & Literature
5%
5% of graduates
Mathematics
3%
3% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
3%
3% of graduates
History
3%
3% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
2%
2% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Education
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,282
Pell Grant 13%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 49% / 51%
Ethnic Diversity at Colby
54% White
11% International / Non-Citizen
11% Asian / Pacific Islander
8% Hispanic
7% Multiracial
5% Black
4% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$80,490
Median Debt $19,157
Debt 10 years after graduation $203
Graduation Rate 90%
What is the graduation rate at Colby College?
90% of students who start at Colby College finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 32% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Colby College go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Colby College is $80,490. This is $30,099 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Colby College who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Colby take out in loans?
Graduates of Colby take out a median of $19,157 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Colby College and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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