Colby College combines highly selective admissions with strong long-term earnings outcomes in a liberal arts setting. Despite earning below expectations relative to institutional selectivity, graduates achieve median earnings of $80,490 with manageable debt levels, supported by extensive alumni networks and career development resources typical of elite liberal arts institutions.
With well above average outcomes, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Showing modestly below average performance, indicating higher relative costs despite strong financial aid
Showing above average enrollment of diverse students, though Pell and first-generation shares remain limited at elite liberal arts institutions
With above average performance, reflecting moderate success in converting educational access into earnings advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisColby College delivers strong absolute earnings outcomes while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions. Graduates earn a median of $80,490 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 94th percentile nationally and earning $17,424 more than the peer median of $63,066.
Earnings range from $58,383 at the 25th percentile to $134,924 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across liberal arts disciplines. However, graduates earn $28,700 below expectations when accounting for the institution's selectivity and student demographics, placing Colby at the 52nd percentile for earnings beyond expectations.
Students seeking an elite liberal arts education with strong economics and international studies programs. Best suited for academically exceptional students who can navigate highly selective admissions and are comfortable with limited socioeconomic diversity on campus.
Strong fit for those prioritizing prestige and alumni networks over immediate post-graduation earnings optimization.
Colby College admits 6.8% of applicants, making it among the most selective liberal arts colleges in the United States. With roughly 1 in 15 applicants receiving admission, Colby operates at a selectivity level comparable to elite universities and top-tier liberal arts institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Colby's exclusivity and typical four-year institutions. This level of selectivity means that even students with exceptional academic credentials face significant uncertainty in the admission process.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Colby College's published cost of attendance reaches $81,550 annually, including $66,600 in tuition, $17,120 for room and board, and $850 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $23,939 after financial aid, representing savings of $57,611 through institutional aid programs.
This net price of $23,939 falls $3,204 below the peer median of $27,143, indicating competitive pricing relative to similar institutions despite the high sticker price. The substantial gap between published costs and actual net price reflects Colby's commitment to need-based financial aid, particularly for students from lower and middle-income families.
Net prices vary dramatically by family income, ranging from $6,072 for families earning under $30,000 to $52,893 for families earning over $110,000. This progressive pricing structure ensures that the institution remains accessible to students across economic backgrounds, though families in the highest income brackets face costs approaching the full sticker price.
The average net price positions Colby competitively among elite liberal arts institutions while maintaining the premium associated with selective private education and comprehensive residential experiences.
Applied Economics.
69 graduates
International/Globalization Studies.
41 graduates
Psychology, General.
32 graduates
African Studies.
22 graduates
American Government and Politics (United States).
52 graduates
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Maine Maritime Academy Higher acceptance rate (54.6 percentage points higher) and located 44 miles away; similar graduate earnings | ME | 61% | $89,964 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Colby College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/colby-college/analysis.
Elite liberal arts education in Maine
Colby College ranks #469 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with above average performance at the 71.2nd percentile. Located in Waterville, Maine, this medium-sized private nonprofit liberal arts college maintains highly selective admission standards with a 6.8% acceptance rate while delivering strong long-term earnings outcomes.
The institution enrolls 13.2% Pell-eligible students and 10.9% first-generation students, reflecting limited socioeconomic diversity typical of elite liberal arts colleges. Graduates earn $80,490 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 94th percentile nationally and significantly exceeding the peer median of $63,066.
However, earnings fall $28,700 below expectations when accounting for student demographics and institutional selectivity, indicating modestly below average performance relative to similar highly selective institutions. This combination of exceptional selectivity, strong absolute earnings, but lower-than-expected outcomes relative to institutional advantages creates a complex value proposition for prospective students.
Many qualified applicants who would excel at Colby do not receive admission due to the limited number of available spots and the high caliber of the applicant pool. Students considering Colby should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and post-graduation outcomes.
The institution's selectivity reflects both its reputation and capacity constraints typical of small liberal arts colleges. Given this admission rate, students should treat Colby as a reach school regardless of their qualifications and prepare alternative options with more accessible admission standards.
The sections below provide guidance on similar institutions with different admission profiles to support strategic college planning.
Colby College graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $60,052 six years after enrollment to $68,015 at eight years and $80,490 at ten years, representing 34% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 82 graduates, providing reasonable confidence despite the small liberal arts college context.
Graduates earn $17,424 more than the peer median of $63,066, placing Colby well above typical four-year institutions in absolute terms. However, earnings fall $28,700 below expectations when accounting for student selectivity and demographics, indicating modestly below average performance relative to similar elite institutions.
Earnings span from $58,383 at the 25th percentile to $134,924 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the diverse career paths typical of liberal arts graduates. Approximately 19% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study according to program mix estimates, though this figure carries low confidence due to methodology limitations.
The earnings trajectory shows steady progression rather than dramatic early-career acceleration, consistent with liberal arts career patterns that often emphasize longer-term professional development over immediate post-graduation income maximization.
Colby College offers 8 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for analysis. Applied Economics stands out with graduates earning $102,153 and ranking #17 nationally, representing the institution's strongest program by earnings with 69 graduates comprising 20.2% of the class.
International/Globalization Studies ranks #5 nationally with 41 graduates earning $62,539 and achieving a strong value score of 92.5. Psychology, General graduates 32 students earning $51,623, while American Government and Politics produces 52 graduates earning $47,118.
Environmental Science graduates 62 students earning $44,699 and ranks #35 nationally. Notable specialized programs include African Studies with 22 graduates earning $48,989, and the unique Catalan Language and Literature program graduating 33 students earning $42,326.
Biology, General shows lower earnings at $30,771 despite graduating 30 students, reflecting the pre-professional nature of many biology majors who continue to graduate study before entering higher-earning careers.
Binghamton University Higher acceptance rate (30.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 38% | $80,596 | Compare |
University Of Rochester Higher acceptance rate (29 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 36% | $79,042 | Compare |
Bowdoin College Same state (48 miles away) with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | ME | 8% | $82,735 | Compare |
Bates College Same state (41 miles away) (earnings difference: 13.7%) and similar program focus; same institution type | ME | 13% | $69,498 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trinity College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#478 ranked) | CT | 34% | $90,779 | #478 | Compare |
Concordia University-Saint Paul Similar quality tier (#480 ranked) | MN | 75% | $59,871 | #480 | Compare |
Kettering University Similar quality tier (#481 ranked) | MI | 79% | $94,823 | #481 | Compare |
Rose-Hulman Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#485 ranked) | IN | 73% | $101,253 | #485 | Compare |
King University Similar quality tier (#467 ranked) | TN | 54% | $59,831 | #467 | Compare |
