Colby College
Waterville, Maine · Private · 2,407 undergraduates · colby.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Admit rate
7.1%
of applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
1460 to 1550
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$101,730Est.Estimate
before aid
Your chances and merit aid at Colby College
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
7.1% of applicants admitted
Reach
It admits only 7.1% of applicants, so it's a reach for everyone.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$101,730
a year in 2027-28, from a $101,730 sticker price
What to do with your 1510
Send your score
About 52% of freshmen here didn't send a score. We estimate their typical SAT at about 1420, and yours is above it.
Source: College Navigator (federal data on fall 2024 freshmen)
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- Superscores: it combines your best section scores from different test dates.
- You can type your scores into the application; official reports come later.
Source: Requirements - Colby College Admissions · Checked October 16, 2026
Application deadlines
- Nov15Early Decision · November 15, 2026Binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll.
- Jan4Early Decision II · January 4, 2027A second binding round, after Early Decision.
- Jan4Regular Decision · January 4, 2027The standard deadline.
Who gets in
7.1%
of applicants are admitted.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above.
SAT total 1460 to 1550
Reading and Writing 720 to 760
Math 740 to 790
ACT composite 32 to 34
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$101,730
a year
- Tuition$78,820
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24, by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$5,263
- $30,001 to $48,000$2,358
- $48,001 to $75,000$3,132
- $75,001 to $110,000$10,750
- Over $110,000$53,340
Financial aidEstimate
100%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
45%
of freshmen receive grants
$69,201
average grant to freshmen
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
National Merit Colby College Scholarship (NMSC college-sponsored)
National Merit
Deadline: Name this college your first choice with NMSC.
Details
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP credit
Not given
AP scores may still place you into higher courses.
Placement for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Places you into |
|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 4 | ART% (generic) |
| 3-D Art and Design | 4 | ART% (generic) |
| Art History | 4 | ART# |
| Biology | 4 | BI163, BI164 |
| Calculus AB | 4 | MA 125 |
| Calculus BC | 4 | MA125,MATH# |
| Calculus BC: AB Subscore | 4 | MA125 |
| Chemistry | 4 | CH141, CH142 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 4 | |
| Computer Science A | 4 | COMP# (generic) |
| Drawing | 4 | ART% (generic) |
| English Language and Composition | 4 | |
| English Literature and Composition | 4 | |
| Environmental Science | 4 | ES118 |
| European History | 4 | HISTSTU# (generic) |
| French Language and Culture | 4 | |
| German Language and Culture | 4 | |
| Human Geography | 4 | |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4 | |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 5 | |
| Latin | 4 | |
| Macroeconomics | 4 | EC134 |
| Microeconomics | 4 | EC133 |
| Music Theory | 4 | MU181 |
| Physics 1 | 4 | |
| Physics 2 | 4 | |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 | PH145 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | PH141 |
| Psychology | 3 | PS111 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 4 | |
| Statistics | 4 | SC110 |
| United States Government and Politics | 5 | GO111 |
| United States History | 4 | HISTSTU# (generic) |
| World History: Modern | 4 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
87%
Come back for a second year
94%
Typical earnings
$88,776
a year, 10 years after starting here
- Colby College$114,079
- All colleges$89,628
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 5 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with Colby College. The Colby College logo is a trademark of the college.