Colby College's published cost of attendance is $85,420. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $4,049, middle-income families pay around $3,666, and higher-income families pay approximately $46,511.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $85,420 |
| Tuition and Fees | $69,600 |
| Room and Board | $17,890 |
| Books and Supplies | $850 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$68,240 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $17,180 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $4,049 |
| $30–48k | $1,251 |
| $48–75k | $3,666 |
| $75–110k | $12,106 |
| $110k+ | $46,511 |
Colby College's published cost of attendance is $85,420. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $4,049, middle-income families pay around $3,666, and higher-income families pay approximately $46,511. Azimuth ranks Colby College #656 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Colby College meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through need-based aid packages that combine grants, loans, and work-study. The college uses the FAFSA and CSS Profile to assess need and constructs aid packages without merit components. Families should review the college's financial aid website for current policies and to understand how aid packages are structured across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,157, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $59,570; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $77,429, median federal debt of $19,157 projects to a monthly payment of about $216 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Colby College earn median 4-year earnings of $77,429, placing the institution in the 85.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Colby College #152 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 89.8 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern reflects Colby College's strong liberal arts foundation, with Social Sciences representing 26% of graduates. Azimuth ranks Economics #42 among nonprofit four-year institutions per the program-ranking methodology, with 89 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $103,491. Azimuth ranks Political Science and Government #4 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 76 graduates earning $96,621, while Natural Resources Conservation and Research ranks #35 nationally with earnings of $55,719.
