A rigorous liberal arts college in Maine with a 714-acre Neo-Georgian campus and strong emphasis on global engagement.
Colby emphasizes project-based learning with flexibility in independent study, special majors, and internships. Students choose from 58 major fields and 38 minors, with the three most popular majors being econometrics/quantitative economics, political science/government, and computer science. More than two-thirds of students study off-campus before graduation through over 200 programs in 60+ countries. The college maintains a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio with a median class size of 16 and 66% of classes enrolling fewer than 20 students.
The 714-acre Neo-Georgian campus sits atop Mayflower Hill and is fully residential, with nearly all students living in on-campus halls or downtown. Colby hosts numerous student-run organizations and emphasizes community engagement, with students volunteering thousands of hours annually. The college is a recognized sustainability leader, becoming one of the first carbon-neutral institutions in the U.S. in 2013, and maintains rigorous green building standards requiring LEED Gold certification for new construction. Key facilities include the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center (opened 2020), Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts (2023), and the Colby College Museum of Art with over 40,000 square feet of gallery space.
For the Class of 2027, Colby admitted 6.6% of 19,188 applicants (1,275 admits). The median SAT score was 1510 and median ACT was 34. Colby participates in the Shelby Davis Scholarship program for United World Colleges graduates, the Posse Foundation Match Program, and QuestBridge National College Match, significantly increasing international and socioeconomically diverse enrollment.
Colby has over 25,000 living alumni represented in all 50 states and 75 countries, including governors, U.S. senators, journalists, mathematicians, and business leaders. The college has invested over $250 million in downtown Waterville since 2019 as part of its community engagement priorities. Five Colby graduates have qualified for the Olympic Games, and Colby athletes have captured 12 team or individual National Championships.