About Our Students
FALL 2021 ADMISSIONS
Numbers are for degree-seeking students applied, admitted, and enrolled in the fall of 2021.
Middle 50% SAT Range for Freshman Class
Numbers are for degree-seeking students applied, admitted, and enrolled in the fall of 2021.
Mathematics
710 - 780
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
690 - 750
Freshmen Returning for Sophomore Year
FALL 2021 ENROLLMENT
Numbers are for degree-seeking undergraduate students and graduate students enrolled in the fall of 2021.
Graduate Student:
A student that holds a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level. Students formerly designated as first-professional students are now captured in the graduate student enrollment numbers.
GENDER: ALL UNDERGRADUATES
DIVERSITY: ALL UNDERGRADUATES
What Students Pay
Percent of Freshmen Receiving Aid by Type
Note: Percentages are for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students enrolled in fall 2021 - 2022.
Federal Grants: These monies include Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants made by the U.S. Department of Education as well as need-based and merit-based educational assistance funds and training vouchers from other federal agencies.
State/Local Grants: These monies include grants provided by the state to the institution through the LEAP program as well as state merit scholarships and tuition and fee waivers. Local grants are any local government grants, scholarship, or gift-aid awarded directly to the student.
Institutional Grants: These monies include scholarships and fellowships funded by the institution and/or individual departments. Also included are tuition and fee waivers and athletic scholarships from the institution.
Student Loans: These monies include subsidized and unsubsidized loans made directly to the student, including Perkins Loans. Also included are institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans for which the student is the designated borrower and funds go through the institution. PLUS and other loans for which the parent is the designated borrower are excluded.
Average Undergraduate Loans Owed At Graduation
The average per-undergraduate-borrower cumulative principal borrowed of the 2021 undergraduate class (does not include students who transferred in or any money borrowed while at other institutions) who started at this institution as first-time students and received a bachelor’s degree between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. Includes loans through all loan programs: institutional, state, Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans, and private loans certified by this institution; parent loans are excluded but co-signed loans are included.
Use Our Net Price Calculator
An institution's Net Price Calculator provides an individualized estimate of the net price of attendance for a first-time, full-time aided undergraduate at that institution. The federal definition of net price is as follows: an institution's cost of attendance for first-time, full-time undergraduate students less the total need- and merit-based federal, state and institutional grant aid awarded (i.e., monetary awards that do not have to be paid back) divided by the number of first-time, full-time undergraduate students receiving such aid.
The estimates generated by an institution's Net Price Calculator do not represent a final determination, or actual award, of financial assistance or a final net price; they are only estimates.
Colby believes that the most talented students from all backgrounds should have access to the best possible education. Through the Colby Commitment, Colby meets 100 percent of demonstrated need without including loans in financial aid packages. Families with a total income of $65,000 or less (with assets typical of this income range) can expect a parent or guardian contribution of $0. Families with a total income between $65,000 and $150,000 and typical assets can expect a parent or guardian contribution of no more than $15,000. As a test-optional institution, students may choose whether to submit their test scores with their application to Colby. There is no fee to apply and extra essays and writing supplements are not required.
*Average loan amount includes federal loan programs only.
FALL 2022 Tuition and Fees History
These figures represent typical tuition for a full-time undergraduate student for the full academic year (generally September to June) plus required fees or those charges that all full-time students must pay that are not included in tuition (for example, registration, health, or activity fees). Optional fees such as parking and laboratory use are not included.
Our Graduates
Percentage of Students Who Graduate
Percentages are for full-time first-time bachelor's (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduate students who entered this institution in the summer or fall of 2015 and completed their degree at this institution by the fall of 2021.
Within 4 Years
81%
Within 5 Years
86%
Within 6 Years
87%
Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded Last Year*
This graphic represents the four majors in which the most bachelor's degrees were awarded between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. The category of “All Others” is the sum of all the other majors earned at the institution in that year. Students with a double major will only be represented by the category of their first major.
Number of Degrees Awarded in 2021
Numbers are for degrees awarded between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021.
Bachelor’s:
Bachelor’s degrees are any degrees that normally require at least four but not more than five years of full-time equivalent college-level work. This includes ALL bachelor’s degrees awarded in a five-year cooperative (work-study plan) program which provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry, or government and thus allows students to combine actual work experience with their college studies. Also, it includes bachelor’s degrees in which the normal four years of work are completed in three years.
Master’s:
Master’s degrees require the successful completion of a program of study of at least the full-time equivalent of one but not more than two academic years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. Some of these degrees, such as those in Theology (ex., M.Div., M.H.L./Rav) that were formerly classified as first-professional degrees, may require more than two full-time equivalent academic years of work.
Doctoral
Doctoral degrees are the highest award a student can earn for graduate study. There are three categories of Doctoral degrees:
- Doctor's degree-research/scholarship: Requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement.
- Doctor's degree-professional practice: A doctor's degree that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice. The degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years. Some of these degrees were formerly classified as first-professional and may include: Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.); Dentistry (D.D.S. OR D.M.D.); Law (L.L.B. or J.D.); Medicine (M.D.); Optometry (O.D.); Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.); Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); Podiatry (D.P.M., Pod.D., D.P.); or, Vetrinary Medicine (D.V.M.), and others, as designated by the awarding institution.
- Doctor's degree-other: A doctor's degree that does not meet the definition of a doctor's degree-research/scholarship or a doctor's degree-professional practice.
Thinking About Life After College
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About Our Faculty
Faculty Information
Student Faculty Ratio: Ratios are for full-time equivalent students to full-time equivalent instructional faculty for the fall of 2021. Full-time equivalent equals all the full-time individuals plus one-third of the part-time individuals. Faculty and students in stand-alone graduate programs such as medicine, law, veterinary, dentistry, social work, business, or public health in which faculty teach virtually only graduate level students are not included in the ratio calculations. Undergraduate or graduate student teaching assistants are not included as faculty.
Full-Time Faculty with Highest Degree: Full-time instructional faculty in the fall of 2021 who held a doctorate, first professional, or the highest degree available in their field. Instructional faculty is defined as those members of the instructional-research staff whose major regular assignment is instruction, including those with released time for research.
Student Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-time Faculty with highest degree: 100%
Undergraduate Class Size
Undergraduate Class Size:This table reports on the number of classes by class size that was offered in the fall of 2021.
Number of Classes:This is the number of classes per semester. A class is an organized course offered for credit, and not a subsection such as a laboratory or discussion section. Not included in this table is distance learning classes, noncredit classes, individual instruction such as thesis research and music instruction, independent studies, co-operative programs, internships, foreign language taped tutor sessions, practicums, and all students in one-on-one classes.
| Number of Students |
2-19 |
20-39 |
40-99 |
100+ |
Total |
| Number of Classes |
371 |
154 |
27 |
1 |
553 |
Life on Campus
With more than 100 student organizations, 32 intercollegiate athletic teams, and countless leadership opportunities, Colby’s community is active and engaged. The campus culture supports and is shaped by the arts and creativity, is centered on a healthy and active lifestyle, and is committed to local, state, and national engagement. Co-curricular programs, beginning with the Colby Outdoor Orientation Trip (COOT) and continuing all four years, optimize learning opportunities in student life. Colby’s Maine location offers easy access to research institutions and civic engagement experiences for its 2,100 students. Colby's student body represents more than 70 countries and 45 states, with each student bringing their unique background, perspective, and voice to Mayflower Hill.
What it's Like on Our Campus
Percent of Freshmen Who Live on Campus is for freshmen enrolled in fall 2022.
Percent of Undergraduates Who Live on Campus is for all degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled in fall 2022.
Freshmen who live on campus
100%
Undergraduates who live on campus
97%
Campus Safety
Students deserve to live and learn in a safe, secure campus environment where everyone is encouraged to meet educational, personal, and professional goals. Quality of place and quality of life are hallmarks of Maine. Colby's location overlooking the city of Waterville helps define the close-knit, collaborative community. Colby's Security Department covers campus 24 hours a day year-round to ensure student safety. Additionally, Colby’s Office of Community Values, Conflict Resolution, and Restorative Practice supports students by mediating in conflict situations and using restorative practices across campus to build community and repair harm.
Student Life Helpful Links