Degrees Offered at Colby College
Colby College appears in our ranking of 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the Northeast.
Colby College offers 58 majors and 35 minors. All programs are undergraduate on-campus programs, with online, certificate and graduate degree programs not currently available. Some of Colby’s majors include African-American studies, anthropology, computational biology, ecology and evolution, neuroscience, biochemistry, classical civilization, computer science, East Asian studies, educational studies, environmental policy, global studies, statistics, astrophysics, psychology, Russian language and culture, theater and dance and philosophy. Students also have the option to minor in art, astronomy, cinema studies, Chinese, data science, creative writing, environmental studies, German, human development, Japanese, Jewish Studies, managerial economics, and Russian literature.
Colby also offers three additional study opportunities. There is a premed program designed for students who wish to prepare for admission to medical school. This program focuses on biology, chemistry, and other life sciences. Second, the engineering dual degree program partners with Dartmouth and Columbia to offer students the chance to simultaneously graduate from Colby with a liberal arts degree and either Dartmouth College or Columbia University with an engineering degree. Finally, Colby offers an independent major, allowing students to create their own major.
Colby College has several unique opportunities for students. Its Jan Plan term gives students the chance to participate in focused study, internships or research for the month of January. Most students have chosen to leave campus during the January term to do research in Central America, job shadow at a local hospital or work on personal creative endeavors such as filmmaking or photography. All students are required to complete at least three Jan Plans, although Colby’s website claims that most students complete one each of their four years of enrollment.
The school also offers graduate-level research experiences at the undergraduate level. Finally, Colby also has an extensive study-abroad program with university-based, internship, language intensive, study center, and field-based options. The university also works with students that have disabilities, illnesses or other significant issues to find a study abroad program that is suitable for them.
About Colby College
Colby College is the 12th oldest private liberal arts college in the United States, founded in 1813. It is located in Waterville, Maine and currently enrolls approximately 2,000 students. The current student-to-faculty ratio is 10 to 1. Colby College has a high graduation and retention rate, with a 94% retention rate and a 92% overall graduation rate.
As a liberal arts school, the institution operates on a belief that the best education includes “a broad acquaintance with human knowledge.” The university values critical and imaginative thinking, intellectual curiosity, aesthetic awareness, writing and speaking proficiency, knowledge of cultures around the world, and lifelong learning. Colby College also claims that it encourages diversity and respect for various beliefs and lifestyles, prioritizing the protection of all students and staff from discrimination.
Colby College is geared towards traditional college students, with 100% of its students 24 years of age and under. All students study on campus and the school does not offer online degree options.
Colby College prides itself on being a sustainable campus. It is currently rated high gold by the STARS Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System). It is the highest rated institution for sustainability among all New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) schools. The campus’ Grossman Hall, in addition to several other campus buildings, is also LEED platinum certified and the outdoor competition center is SITES certified.
Colby College Accreditation Details
Colby College is fully accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. It also receives oversight from the Maine Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. The college is also a member of dozens of additional accrediting or professional organizations, including:
- American Chemical Society
- American Council on Education
- American Association of Colleges and Universities
- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
- Consortium on High Achievement and Success
- Council of Independent Colleges
- International Institute of Education
- National Association for College Admission Counseling
- National Council for Science and the Environment
- New England Board of Higher Education
- U.S. Green Building Council
In addition, Colby College’s Museum of Art is accredited by the American Association of Museums. Finally, the campus health center is fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
Colby College Application Requirements
Colby College is a highly competitive school, with only 16% of applicants admitted to the college. The 75th percentile for SAT reading and writing scores was 740 and SAT math scores was 760. The 25th percentile for ACT composite scores was 31 and the 75th percentile ACT score was 33.
Colby College requires all applicants to submit a secondary school record and letters of recommendation from two teachers and a counselor. Applicants have the option to also submit secondary school rank and GPA, evidence of a college-preparatory curriculum and a formal demonstration of competencies that might not be obvious from the applicant’s high school records. Colby College is a “test optional institution” and students can make the choice whether or not to submit ACT and SAT scores with their application. Students applying to art, music, creative writing or performing arts programs can also submit portfolio materials with their application packet.
Prospective students can use Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application to apply. Individuals applying for Early Decision are also required to submit the Early Decision Agreement Form. Application deadlines for early decision consideration are due November 15th and applications for regular decision consideration are due January 1st of each year.
Tuition and Financial Aid
As a private institution, Colby College does not have separate in-state and out-of-state tuition. The average tuition for 2017-2018, not including room and board, was $53,120.
The college created a program called the Colby Commitment, with a pledge to meet 100% of each admitted student’s financial need without loans. Approximately 90% of all students with a family income of less than $200,000 annually qualified for some type of non-loan financial assistance. For students with a family income of $60,000 or less, Colby ensures that the parent contribution is $0. For those with a family income of up to $150,000, the total parent contribution will not exceed $15,000. Overall, half of all Colby students receive financial aid, primarily in the way of merit and need-based scholarships, state and local government grants and scholarships and federal grants. Prospective students should submit a financial aid application with their initial application materials.
More information about Colby College’s degree options can be found on the school’s website.