Students at Colby College achieve exceptional long-term earnings that place the institution among the top 5% of colleges nationwide for financial outcomes.
The combination of strong career preparation and prestigious alumni networks consistently delivers graduates into high-paying professional opportunities across diverse fields.
Colby College delivers exceptional long-term financial outcomes that place it among the top-performing institutions nationwide. With graduates earning a median of $80,490 ten years after enrollment, Colby ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. The college combines the intimate academic environment of a prestigious liberal arts institution with career preparation that consistently leads to high-paying professional opportunities.
What makes Colby distinctive is its ability to prepare students for lucrative careers across diverse fields, from economics and government to international studies. The college's strong alumni network and reputation open doors to competitive graduate programs and high-paying entry-level positions in finance, consulting, law, and other professional services. With a 90% six-year graduation rate, Colby demonstrates remarkable consistency in helping students complete their degrees and transition successfully into the workforce.
As a highly selective private college in Maine, Colby offers the classic New England liberal arts experience while delivering financial outcomes that rival those of much larger research universities. For families who can manage the substantial upfront investment, Colby represents a pathway to both intellectual growth and long-term economic success.
Colby College's program portfolio reflects its liberal arts mission while consistently preparing students for high-earning professional careers. Applied Economics emerges as the standout program, combining strong enrollment of 69 graduates with solid median earnings of $57,995, making it the college's highest aggregate return major. This program exemplifies Colby's ability to blend rigorous academic training with practical career preparation for finance, consulting, and business roles.
American Government and Politics represents Colby's largest program with 52 graduates earning a median of $47,118, demonstrating the college's traditional strength in preparing students for careers in law, public policy, and government service. International/Globalization Studies, while smaller with 41 graduates, produces competitive outcomes at $42,682 and reflects Colby's global perspective and preparation for international business and diplomatic careers.
These programs showcase Colby's distinctive approach to liberal arts education—combining intellectual rigor with career-focused outcomes. The college's small size allows for intensive faculty mentorship and personalized career guidance, while its prestigious reputation and alumni network create access to competitive graduate programs and high-paying entry-level positions across multiple industries. Students benefit from both the breadth of liberal arts training and the focused career preparation that leads to strong long-term financial outcomes.
Colby College graduates achieve outstanding long-term earnings that place the institution among the highest-performing colleges nationwide. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $80,490, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. This strong performance reflects both the quality of Colby's academic programs and the career advantages that come with the college's prestigious reputation and extensive alumni network.
The college's strongest financial returns come from programs that prepare students for high-paying professional careers. Applied Economics stands out as both the highest aggregate return major and a significant driver of overall outcomes, with 69 graduates earning a median of $57,995 ten years out. American Government and Politics, the largest program with 52 graduates, produces median earnings of $47,118, while International/Globalization Studies graduates earn around $42,682. These programs reflect Colby's strength in preparing students for careers in finance, consulting, law, public policy, and international business.
The liberal arts foundation at Colby translates into versatile career preparation that serves graduates well across multiple industries. Many alumni leverage their Colby education to access competitive graduate programs in law, business, and other professional fields, contributing to the college's exceptional long-term earning outcomes. The combination of rigorous academics, strong faculty mentorship, and powerful alumni connections creates pathways to high-paying careers that continue to appreciate over time.
Affordability at Colby College varies dramatically by family income, reflecting the institution's commitment to need-based financial aid alongside its high sticker price. Low-income families pay an average net price of just $6,072 annually, while middle-income families see costs drop to $2,247 per year, demonstrating Colby's substantial investment in making education accessible to students from modest backgrounds. However, high-income families face the full weight of Colby's premium pricing, with net costs reaching $52,893 annually.
The college's financial aid strategy creates a clear divide between families who qualify for significant need-based assistance and those expected to pay close to full price. For families in the middle and lower income ranges, Colby's generous aid packages make the education remarkably affordable relative to the outcomes it produces. However, families above the aid threshold face substantial costs that require careful financial planning and often significant borrowing through Parent PLUS loans or other financing mechanisms.
What makes Colby's pricing sustainable for many families is the strong return on investment the education provides. With graduates consistently achieving high earnings and excellent career outcomes, families often view the upfront investment as worthwhile despite the substantial costs. The college's 0% federal loan default rate and strong loan repayment patterns demonstrate that graduates are generally able to manage their debt obligations successfully after graduation.
Colby College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
