Overview of Colby College
Colby College, located in Waterville, Maine, is a prestigious private liberal arts college with a distinguished history dating back to its founding in 1813. Situated amidst the natural beauty of central Maine, Colby is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, global engagement, and a strong sense of community. The college has evolved into a leading institution, known for its rigorous academic programs, dedication to innovation, and emphasis on preparing students for leadership roles in a rapidly changing world.
Academic Excellence: Colby College offers a comprehensive and rigorous liberal arts education with a focus on critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and interdisciplinary studies. The college provides a wide range of academic programs across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and arts. Colby’s faculty members, renowned for their scholarly achievements, are committed to fostering an environment of intellectual exploration and academic excellence.
The college’s commitment to small class sizes and a low student-faculty ratio ensures that students have ample opportunities for close interaction with professors, fostering mentorship and personalized learning experiences. Colby’s curriculum is designed to encourage students to explore various disciplines, promoting a well-rounded education that prepares them for a variety of careers and life beyond college.
Global Engagement: Colby College is dedicated to preparing students for a globalized world. The college has a strong emphasis on international experiences, offering study abroad programs and opportunities for global engagement. Students are encouraged to broaden their perspectives by immersing themselves in different cultures, studying international issues, and participating in research and internship experiences around the world.
Colby’s global engagement extends to its commitment to addressing global challenges through research, education, and community partnerships. Initiatives and programs that focus on environmental sustainability, social justice, and international collaboration underscore the college’s dedication to making a positive impact on a global scale.
Innovative Learning Spaces: Colby College boasts state-of-the-art facilities that support innovative teaching and learning. The recently opened Davis Science Center, for example, provides cutting-edge laboratories and collaborative spaces for students and faculty in the natural sciences. The academic buildings are designed to foster a dynamic and interactive learning environment, equipped with modern technologies and resources.
Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies: At the core of Colby’s educational philosophy is the belief in the transformative power of a liberal arts education. The college emphasizes critical thinking, effective communication, and adaptability—skills that are essential in a rapidly changing and complex world. Colby encourages students to explore diverse disciplines, fostering intellectual curiosity and a holistic understanding of the human experience.
Colby’s commitment to interdisciplinary studies allows students to make connections across various fields of knowledge. This interdisciplinary approach prepares graduates to address complex challenges that require creative and multifaceted solutions.
Community and Campus Life: Colby College places a strong emphasis on fostering a close-knit and inclusive community. The campus, nestled in the picturesque setting of central Maine, provides a serene and supportive environment for learning and personal growth. Students have access to a variety of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations that cater to diverse interests, contributing to a vibrant campus life.
The college’s commitment to community extends beyond the campus through partnerships with the local community in Waterville and collaborative initiatives that address social, economic, and environmental challenges in the region.
Athletics: Colby’s commitment to holistic education includes a robust athletics program. The Colby Mules compete in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) at the NCAA Division III level. Athletics at Colby promote teamwork, leadership, and a healthy lifestyle, contributing to the overall development of students.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Colby College is dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse community. The college actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion through various initiatives, support services, and programs. Colby recognizes the importance of fostering an environment where all individuals feel valued and respected.
Career Services: Colby’s career services play a crucial role in supporting students’ career development and post-graduation plans. The college provides resources such as career counseling, internship opportunities, and networking events to help students transition successfully from academia to the professional world.
Colby College stands as a distinguished institution that combines a rich history with a forward-thinking approach to liberal arts education. With its commitment to academic excellence, global engagement, and a supportive community, Colby continues to prepare students for leadership roles in an increasingly interconnected and complex world.
4000 Mayflower Hill Waterville, ME 04901-8840
Phone: (800) 723-3032
Email: admissions@colby.edu
Web site: http://www.colby.edu
Rankings: Colby College
Located in Waterville, ME, Colby College is one of the best universities in the state of Maine. On this page, you will find in-depth rankings for Colby College in the following areas: graduation rates, teaching resources, financing opportunities, and alumni donations. Latest acceptance rate is also given to show how competitive is Colby College.
| Rankings, Ratings, and Admissions Statistics | |
| Overall Ranking: | 22 |
| Score: | 79 |
| Peer college rating (out of 5) | 4.0 |
| Graduation and retention ranking: | 21 |
| Average freshman retention rate: | 94.2% |
| 6-year graduation rate: | 90.0% |
| Predicted graduation rate: | 90% |
| Overperformance(+)/Underperformance(-): | 0 |
| Faculty resources ranking: | 50 |
| Classes with under 20 students (2020): | 59.5% |
| Classes with 50 or more students (2020): | 3.1% |
| Student faculty ratio (2020): | 10:1 |
| Percent of faculty who are full-time (2020) | 89.0% |
| Student selectivity ranking: | 24 |
| SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile (2020) | 1280-1430 |
| 2020 Freshmen in top 10 percent of high school class: | 61% |
| Freshmen in top 25 percent of high school class (2020): | 90% |
| Fall 2020 Acceptance rate: | 30.9% |
| Financial resources rank: | 36 |
| Alumni giving rank: | 17 |
| Average alumni giving rate (2020): | 46.8% |
Essential Facts: Colby College
- Colby College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,000, with a gender distribution of 48 percent male students and 52 percent female students.
- Colby College: Ranking 2020, Acceptance Rate, Tuition Colby College is in the top 8% of universities in the world, ranking 370th in the United States and 1247th globally.
- Forbes in 2019 rated Colby 75th overall in its America’s Top Colleges ranking of 650 military academies, national universities, and liberal arts colleges, and 32nd among liberal arts colleges.
Rules and regulations Sports Activities
| General Information | |
| Percent of undergraduate students who live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing: | 93% |
| Percent of undergraduates who are members of a fraternity: | 0% |
| Percent of student body who are members of a sorority: | 0% |
| Average percentage of students on campus during weekends: | 90% |
| Are all students permitted to have cars on campus? | Yes |
| Percent of students who have cars on campus: | 75% |
| Is alcohol permitted on campus for students of legal age? | Yes |
| Additional policies and regulations: | class attendance policies set by individual instructors, hazing prohibited, other |
| Collegiate athletic association: | NCAA III |
| Men’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Women’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Student activities: | campus ministries, choral groups, concert band, dance, drama/theater, international student organization, jazz band, literary magazine, model UN, music ensembles, musical theater, radio station, student government, student newspaper, student film society, symphony orchestra, yearbook |