Colby College is a private liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine, founded in 1813 as America’s 12th-oldest liberal arts institution. It ranks #24 among National Liberal Arts Colleges in the US News 2026 edition.
The college offers 56 majors and 35 minors across humanities, sciences and social sciences. All undergraduate instruction is delivered in English, and Colby operates a single Fall intake each September. Economics, government and biology draw the largest cohorts of degree-seekers. Around 269 international students, from more than 80 countries, currently study on the Mayflower Hill campus.
- Ranking: #24 US News National Liberal Arts Colleges 2026
- Acceptance Rate: 8% (Class of 2030, officially reported)
- Intakes: Fall only, September start
- Tuition 2026-2027: USD 75,790 (INR 71.6 lakh) per year
- Student Body: 2,412 undergraduates, ~11% international
- Median Starting Salary: USD 62,000 (INR 58.6 lakh)
Also Check: Top Universities in USA for Indian Students
Colby is need-blind for all applicants, including international students. Financial aid packages meet 100% of demonstrated need with grants and work-study rather than loans. Indian graduates on an F-1 visa qualify for up to three years of post-completion work through STEM OPT extension in eligible majors, and application to Colby carries no fee. Read the wider private not-for-profit universities in USA for peer context.
Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 94.45 as of September 2026
Admission Status: Open (Fall 2027 intake). Colby College is accepting applications for the Fall 2027 intake, with Early Decision I closing 15 November 2026 and Regular Decision closing 4 January 2027. There is no application fee for Indian applicants. Indian candidates seeking need-based aid should submit the CSS Profile and international student certification of finances alongside the admission application.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at Colby College 2027
- Colby College Admission 2027
- Colby College Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- Colby College Acceptance Rate 2027
- Colby College Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- Colby College Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- Colby College Scholarships 2027
- Colby College Rankings 2027
- Colby College Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- Colby College vs Peer Universities
- Colby College FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at Colby College 2027
Colby College fees for Indian students follow one uniform tuition figure across all bachelor’s majors. The published 2026-2027 tuition is USD 75,790 per year, or roughly USD 303,160 across the four-year residential programme. Colby does not offer graduate degrees or professional schools, so every entry below is a full-time on-campus bachelor’s route.
All majors last four years and require a total of 128 credit hours. Entry criteria are holistic and identical across programmes; only supplemental writing and portfolio expectations shift by department.
| Program | 4-Year Total Tuition (USD) | 4-Year Total Tuition (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts Economics | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh | Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended) |
| Bachelor of Arts Government | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh | Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended) |
| Bachelor of Arts Biology | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh | Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended); science stream preferred |
| Bachelor of Arts Computer Science | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh | Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended); mathematics required |
| Bachelor of Arts Psychology | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh | Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended) |
| Bachelor of Arts History | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh | Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended) |
| Bachelor of Arts English | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh | Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended) |
| Bachelor of Arts Environmental Studies | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh | Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended) |
| Bachelor of Arts Mathematics | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh | Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended); mathematics required |
| Bachelor of Arts Global Studies | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh | Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended) |
Tuition figures above cover instruction only. Living costs, insurance and travel are covered in the fees section below.
Insider note: Indian students at Colby cluster most heavily in Economics, Computer Science and Biology, largely because these majors qualify for the F-1 STEM OPT extension and open direct paths to US finance, technology and healthcare hiring after graduation.
Read More: Colby College Programs and Fees Guide
Colby College Admission 2027
Colby College admission for Indian students operates on three application rounds in a single Fall intake. All routes use the Common Application or the Coalition Application at no fee.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I deadline | 15 November 2026 | Binding round; recommended for candidates with Colby as clear first choice |
| Early Decision II deadline | 4 January 2027 | Second binding round; used by applicants finalising list in December |
| Regular Decision deadline | 4 January 2027 | Non-binding; primary route for most Indian applicants |
| Decision notification | By 1 April 2027 | Common Reply Date is 1 May 2027 |
| Fall semester start | Early September 2027 | International orientation precedes classes by one week |
[Source: Colby College official admissions calendar]
Planning note: Indian applicants targeting need-based aid must submit the CSS Profile and international financial aid documents alongside the application by the same deadline. Because Colby is need-blind for international students, requesting aid does not reduce admission chances.
Read More: Colby College Admissions Guide for Indian Students
Colby College Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
Colby College admission requirements for Indian students centre on Class 12 academic performance, English proficiency and holistic application materials.
- Academic: Class 12 with 90% or CGPA 9.0/10 (recommended); CBSE, ICSE and state boards accepted; official transcript with English translation required.
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT minimum 79, or IELTS Academic 7.0 (average of admitted class), or Duolingo English Test minimum 110 (average 115).
- Application materials: Common App or Coalition App, personal essay, two teacher recommendations, one counselor recommendation, plus official Class 10 and Class 12 transcripts.
- Standardised tests: SAT or ACT is optional; admitted students who submitted scored SAT 1390-1530 or ACT 32-34.
Note: Colby superscores TOEFL and accepts MyBest scores, letting Indian applicants combine highest section scores across sittings. Self-reporting is permitted at application stage; official reports are due only after enrolment confirmation.
Colby College Acceptance Rate 2027
Colby College acceptance rate for Indian students sits at 8% for the most recent complete cycle (Class of 2030, Fall 2026 entry). This is the officially reported institutional figure and reflects one of the most selective admission profiles in the National Liberal Arts tier.
| Cycle | Acceptance Rate | Applications Received |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2030 (Fall 2026) | 8% | 21,065 |
| Class of 2029 (Fall 2025) | 7% | 20,144 |
[Source: Colby College Office of Admissions and Financial Aid]
Early Decision rounds historically admit at a materially higher rate than Regular Decision, given the binding commitment. International applicants are pooled with domestic candidates under the need-blind framework.
Reality check: Indian candidates without legacy or athletic hooks realistically face low single-digit admit odds under Regular Decision. Applying Early Decision meaningfully lifts admit probability when Colby is a genuine first choice.
Read More: US News-Ranked Universities in USA
Colby College Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
Colby College fees for Indian students in 2026-2027 total USD 97,020 to USD 98,270 per year (INR 91.6 lakh to INR 92.8 lakh) once tuition, on-campus food and housing, personal expenses and travel are combined. This is the full published cost of attendance.
Colby College Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2026-2027
Bachelor’s tuition is uniform across all 56 majors, with no separate international rate.
| Component | 2026-2027 Amount (USD) | 2026-2027 Amount (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Tuition (annual) | 75,790 | 71.6 lakh |
| 4-Year Tuition (cumulative) | 303,160 | 286.3 lakh |
[Source: Colby College Office of Student Financial Services 2026-2027]
Colby College Cost of Living in Waterville for Indian Students
Colby operates a residential model where nearly all undergraduates live on campus, with room and board bundled into a single annual charge.
| Category | Annual Cost (USD) | Annual Cost (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| Food and Housing (bundled, on-campus) | 19,480 | 18.4 lakh |
| Books and Personal Expenses | 1,700 | 1.6 lakh |
| Travel and Transportation (Waterville to India) | 50 to 1,300 | 0.05 to 1.2 lakh |
| Total Annual Living Costs | 21,230 to 22,480 | 20.1 to 21.2 lakh |
| Total Cost of Attendance | 97,020 to 98,270 | 91.6 to 92.8 lakh |
[Source: Colby College official cost of attendance 2026-2027]
Insider note: International first-year students are expected to remain in campus residence, so off-campus rent in Waterville does not apply in year one. Students who eventually move off campus in later years find local one-bedroom rents at USD 800 to USD 1,200 per month.
Read More: Study in USA for Indian Students
Colby College Campus, Facilities and Student Life
The Colby College campus spans 714 acres on Mayflower Hill in Waterville, Maine, overlooking the Kennebec River Valley. Waterville is a small New England town about 180 km north of Boston by road.
- Location: 714-acre Neo-Georgian campus on Mayflower Hill; 180 km road distance from Boston; nearest airport is Portland International Jetport at 120 km.
- Housing: 31 residence halls; almost all undergraduates live on campus in a fully residential model with bundled dining.
- Facilities: Colby College Museum of Art with nearly 8,000 works across 38,000 square feet; Perkins Arboretum; DavisConnects career and global engagement centre funding internships for every student.
- Indian community: Small but active South Asian student presence within a student body drawn from more than 80 countries; cultural organisations host Diwali and Holi events annually.
What Indian students say: Waterville is a small town, so social life centres on campus events, sports and residence halls. Students value small class sizes and direct faculty access, but plan for cold Maine winters and rely on scheduled shuttles for Boston weekend trips.
Colby College Scholarships 2027
Colby College scholarships for Indian students operate entirely on a need-based framework; the college awards no merit-only scholarships. Colby is one of the few US institutions that is need-blind for all applicants including international students, and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Need-Based Financial Aid | Need-based grant plus work-study | Up to full cost of attendance (USD 97,020 to 98,270 or INR 91.6 to 92.8 lakh per year) | All admitted students demonstrating financial need; need-blind admission | 15 November 2026 (ED I); 4 January 2027 (ED II and RD) |
| Davis United World College Scholars Program | Merit plus need grant | Up to USD 20,000 (INR 18.9 lakh) per year; verify exact allocation with UWC office | Graduates of United World Colleges enrolling at Colby | Concurrent with admission application |
[Source: Colby College Office of Admissions and Financial Aid]
Insider note: Because Colby offers no merit-only scholarships, Indian applicants should build the aid case around the CSS Profile and the international student certification of finances. Davis Scholars must apply through their UWC campus counsellor rather than the Colby financial aid office directly.
Read More: Colby College Scholarships List
Colby College Rankings 2027
Colby College’s strongest ranking is #24 among National Liberal Arts Colleges in the US News 2026 edition. As a small residential liberal arts college with limited research output, Colby is not ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2027 or the THE World University Rankings 2026, which weight research-university metrics.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| US News National Liberal Arts Colleges | 2026: #24 | NA | NA |
| US News Best Value Schools | 2026: #10 | NA | NA |
| US News Most Innovative Schools | 2026: #5 | NA | NA |
| QS World University Rankings | Not ranked in 2027 | NA | NA |
| THE World University Rankings | Not ranked in 2026 | NA | NA |
[Source: US News Best Colleges 2026, QS, Times Higher Education]
Key insight: Colby’s US News liberal arts standing is what matters most for Indian recruiters familiar with the American small-college undergraduate model. Employers hiring for consulting, finance and graduate school recognise the Small Ivy tier alongside Amherst, Williams and Bowdoin.
Read More: Colby College Rankings Analysis
Colby College Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
Colby College placements for Indian students reflect the college’s strong first-destination outcomes. The Class of 2024 reported 98% employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation.
- Employment or Graduate School (within 1 year): 98% (Class of 2024, officially reported)
- Job Offers within 6 Months: 91% of graduates seeking full-time employment received offers
- Median Starting Salary: USD 62,000 (INR 58.6 lakh); mid-career median USD 129,500 (INR 122.3 lakh)
- Graduate School Placement: 88% law school acceptance rate over three years; 83% medical school acceptance rate
- Career Sectors: Finance, consulting, healthcare, education and non-profit; alumni networks concentrate in Boston and New York City
Insider note: Colby’s DavisConnects programme funds internships and global experiences for every enrolled student. Indian graduates use this to build concrete US and international work lines on the résumé before entering the OPT job market.
Colby College vs Peer Universities
Indian students typically weigh Colby College against other NESCAC and Small Ivy liberal arts peers. The table compares Colby with four commonly considered alternatives on rank and positioning.
| University | US News NLAC 2026 | Annual Cost of Attendance (USD / INR lakh) | Differentiator vs Colby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colby College | #24 | 97,020 to 98,270 / 91.6 to 92.8 lakh | Need-blind admission for international students; DavisConnects funding |
| Bowdoin College | NA | NA | Coastal Maine peer; open curriculum |
| Middlebury College | NA | NA | Language immersion and environmental studies strength |
| Amherst College | NA | NA | Five-College Consortium access; open curriculum |
| Williams College | NA | NA | Tutorial teaching model modelled on Oxbridge |
Colby stands out among Small Ivy peers for combining need-blind international admission with the DavisConnects internship funding available to every student. Very few US liberal arts colleges hold both features together.
Colby College is the right fit for Indian students seeking a small-college residential undergraduate experience with need-blind admission and full-need financial aid. The four-year total cost reaches INR 369 lakh at full pay, but need-based grants reduce this to a fraction for admitted families with demonstrated need. Graduates enter the US job market with a median starting salary of USD 62,000 and up to three years of STEM OPT eligibility.
Colby is not the right choice for students seeking large research campuses, direct professional programmes in engineering or business, or big-city life. Applicants prioritising those factors should compare Colby with peers like Bowdoin, or shift toward mid-sized universities such as Boston University for a more career-focused undergraduate track.
Colby College FAQs
Ques. What is the Colby College application fee for Indian students?
Ans. Colby College charges no application fee for any applicant, including international students from India. The Common Application or Coalition Application can be submitted at zero cost. This makes Colby unusually accessible for exploratory applicants who are also weighing other US liberal arts colleges. All supplementary materials, including transcripts and recommendations, are processed without additional charges from the college side.
Ques. Does Colby College require SAT or ACT scores from Indian applicants?
Ans. Colby College is test-optional for the 2026-2027 admission cycle. Indian applicants may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores based on whether they strengthen the application. Admitted students who did submit scored SAT 1390 to 1530 or ACT 32 to 34. Non-submitters are evaluated equally on transcripts, essays, recommendations and extracurricular record.
Ques. How do Indian students apply for financial aid at Colby College?
Ans. Indian applicants must submit the CSS Profile and the international student certification of finances alongside the admission application. The financial aid deadline aligns with the admission deadline for the round chosen. Colby is need-blind for international applicants, so applying for aid does not affect admission chances, and packages contain grants plus work-study rather than loans.
Ques. Can Indian students work part-time on the Colby campus?
Ans. F-1 visa holders at Colby may work up to 20 hours per week on campus during academic terms and full-time during breaks. Many financial aid packages include on-campus work-study positions, providing modest earnings toward personal expenses. Off-campus work requires CPT or OPT authorisation from the Designated School Official and is limited to internships tied to the academic programme.
Ques. What is the OPT visa duration for Colby College graduates?
Ans. Colby College graduates on an F-1 visa qualify for 12 months of standard Optional Practical Training after completing the bachelor’s degree. Students in eligible STEM majors such as Computer Science, Biology and Environmental Science may extend OPT by an additional 24 months. This gives a total of 36 months of US work authorisation before H-1B sponsorship is required.
Ques. Does Colby offer online or distance learning bachelor’s programmes?
Ans. Colby College does not offer online or distance learning bachelor’s degrees. All 56 majors are delivered in a full-time residential format on the Waterville, Maine campus. Indian students must be prepared to relocate for the entire four-year duration. The residential model, with 31 halls and campus-based dining, is central to the Colby undergraduate experience.
Ques. How does the Davis Scholars Program work at Colby College?
Ans. Indian students graduating from a United World College qualify for the Davis Scholarship at Colby. The award provides up to USD 20,000 (INR 18.9 lakh) annually toward the cost of attendance, stacked with regular need-based aid. Selection is coordinated through the UWC school counsellor rather than the Colby financial aid office, and eligibility begins at admission.
Ques. Are interviews required for Colby College undergraduate admission?
Ans. Interviews are optional but recommended for Indian applicants and can be conducted virtually with Colby alumni or admissions staff. The interview offers a chance to demonstrate fit and ask specific questions about academics or campus life. Scheduling is done through the Colby admissions portal after application submission, and no penalty applies to applicants who choose not to interview.
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Colby College Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 95,580/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| R&D Systems Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 1.4 L/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| QS Connect Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 4.8 L/Yr$5,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BL Mandhana Scholarships | Scholarship per student₹ 9.6 L/Yr$10,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Go Clean Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 3.3 L/Yr$3,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Business Administration Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
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Colby College Admissions
Application Portal: https://www.colby.edu/admission/apply/
Early Action Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)
Colby College Exam Scores
| Exams | Avg. Score | Min Score | Max. Score | %Submitted' |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||||
| SAT | 1420 | 1340 | 1500 | 49 |
| Check Detailed Score | ||||
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 705 | 670 | 740 | - |
| Mathematics | 715 | 670 | 760 | - |
| ACT | 32 | 31 | 33 | 55 |
| Check Detailed Score | ||||
| English | 33 | 31 | 35 | - |
| Mathematics | 31 | 28 | 33 | - |
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Colby College Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3786 | 3109 | 677 | - |
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You can check Colby College Admissions and find out whether you are eligible for the program you wish to enroll in.