DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 120 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
CAMPUS · WATERVILLE, ME · PRIVATE

Colby College

Colby College
6.8%
ACCEPT
01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International
57
FIT
REACH
Colby College is a reach for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
6.8%
of 17,786 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$80,490
across all majors
01

Colby College at a Glance

2,438
Total Enrollment
$19,157
Median Debt
13.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Colby College

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading710760735
SAT Math730790760
SAT Total144015501495
ACT Composite323433

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received17,786
Students Admitted1,215
Students Enrolled605
Yield Rate49.8%

Colby College Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News Liberal Arts Colleges #25 2025

Colby College Overview

Colby College is a private university in Waterville, ME with 2,438 students. With a 6.8% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Multidisciplinary.

Full NameColby College
LocationWaterville, ME 04901-8840
TypePrivate
Websitecolby.edu/
Total Enrollment2,438
Undergrad Enrollment2,438
Female Students52.1%

Is Colby College a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 6.8%, Colby College is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your ProfileColby College Is...What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application Match Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths Reach Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA Hard Reach Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at Colby College

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences
26.4%
Biological Sciences
13.6%
Multidisciplinary
8.0%
Natural Resources
6.7%
Computer Science
6.2%
Best Majors at Colby College →

Student Demographics

White
56.6%
Black/African American
5.3%
Hispanic/Latino
8.0%
Asian
9.8%
International
10.0%

How to Get Into Colby College

Colby is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1495+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Colby wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1495
Target SAT Score
33
Target ACT Score
6.8%
Acceptance Rate
17,786
Total Applicants

What Colby College Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Important
Standardized Test Scores Considered
Application Essay Very Important
Recommendation Very Important
Extracurricular Activities Important
Talent Ability Important
Character Personal Qualities Very Important
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Considered
Interview Important
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

Colby College Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Colby College ED I/II admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Early DecisionNov 15
Early Decision IIJan 5
Regular DecisionJan 5
Early Decision: Colby College offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Colby College is your clear first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colby College

What is Colby's acceptance rate?
Colby has an acceptance rate of 6.8%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for Colby?
The middle 50% SAT range at Colby is 1440-1550. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 32-34. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at Colby?
The most popular majors at Colby by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (26.4%), Biological Sciences (13.6%), Multidisciplinary (8.0%), Natural Resources (6.7%), Computer Science (6.2%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
Can I transfer to Colby?
Colby accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.
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More About Colby College

Colby College Acceptance Rate Colby College Tuition & Cost Transfer to Colby College Colby College Salary & ROI Colby College AP Credit Best Majors at Colby College Colby College Housing International at Colby College

Other Colleges in ME

Bowdoin College
8.0% accept · Brunswick

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. Colby College is not affiliated with DeepColleges.