It's time to rethink college tours
Traditional campus tours feel impersonal and can leave you with more questions than answers. You’re just a face in the crowd following a scripted tour led by a random guide. Is this really the best way to make one of the biggest decisions of your life?
SchoolScoops is the smarter, more personal way to tour colleges
Private and personalized tours
With traditional tours you’re just a number in a big group, making it hard to ask the questions that matter most. With SchoolScoops 1-on-1 tours and video chats you can ask all the questions that are important to you.
Choose your own guide
On a typical college tour, the school assigns you a guide. SchoolScoops lets you pick a guide who matches your academic interests, hobbies, and personality. You'll get authentic insights and advice from someone who truly gets you.
No scripts, just scoops
Traditional campus tours are essentially a sales pitch—the guide works for the school and their job is to show you the highlights. SchoolScoops guides don’t work for their school, so there’s no sales pitch—just genuine advice to determine if the school is a good fit.
Find the school for you
Choosing where to go to college is a major decision and a huge investment. SchoolScoops 1-on-1 tours and video chats go beyond the basics to help you make a well-informed college decision.
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What customers are saying
Get to know Colby College
Colby College is a top-ranked private liberal arts institution known for excellence across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary learning, hands-on research, community engagement, and addressing global challenges.
Overview
Colby College, founded in 1813, is a private liberal arts college located in Waterville, Maine. It offers a wide range of undergraduate programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and experiential opportunities.
Size
Colby College has a total enrollment of approximately 2,300 students, all of whom are undergraduates, fostering a close-knit and highly engaged academic community.
Acceptance rate
Colby College has an acceptance rate of around 8%, making it one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the nation. Among admitted students who submitted test scores, half scored between 1430–1530 on the SAT or 33–35 on the ACT, though Colby is test-optional.
Cost
For the 2024 academic year, Colby College’s undergraduate tuition is approximately $66,000, with total costs including housing and meals exceeding $80,000. However, Colby meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, and about 40% of students receive financial aid, with an average need-based award of over $60,000.
Ranking
According to U.S. News & World Report, Colby College is ranked #21 among National Liberal Arts Colleges. Rankings are based on widely recognized measures of academic quality, including graduation rates, faculty resources, and student outcomes.
Academics
Colby College offers more than 60 majors and minors across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, fostering close mentorship, personalized learning, and strong academic engagement.
Traditions
Colby College’s most cherished traditions include the annual Doghead celebration around St. Patrick’s Day, Winter Carnival, and Mayflower Hill Day, which bring the campus community together. Another beloved tradition is the longstanding athletic rivalry with Bowdoin and Bates, highlighted during CBB games.
Campus landmarks
Colby College’s most iconic landmarks include the historic Miller Library with its distinctive clock tower, the Colby Museum of Art, the Bixler Art and Music Center, the scenic Mayflower Hill campus, and the expansive Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center—all showcasing the college’s blend of tradition, innovation, and natural beauty.
Student body
Over 90% of Colby College students come from outside Maine, with the student body representing nearly all 50 states and more than 70 countries, reflecting Colby’s strong commitment to geographic and cultural diversity.
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Become a guideYour Colby College questions, answered
What are Colby's most popular majors?
Leading fields include Econometrics & Quantitative Economics, Political Science, Computer Science, Psychology, and Environmental Science.
Is Colby College a Division I school?
Colby College competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). Known as the Mules, Colby’s student-athletes excel both on and off the field, balancing competitive athletics with rigorous academics.
Is Colby College in the Ivy League?
Colby is not part of the Ivy League, but it’s a highly selective liberal arts college often considered one of the “Little Ivies” for its academic excellence.
What is the male-to-female ratio at Colby College?
As of fall 2023, Colby College had about 2,282 undergraduate students, with a gender distribution of roughly 49% male and 51% female, reflecting a well-balanced student population.
Does Colby College have Greek life?
Colby College eliminated fraternities and sororities in 1984 due to concerns about discrimination and campus culture. While informal social groups may exist, there is no officially recognized Greek life on campus.
What city is near Colby College?
Colby College is located in Waterville, Maine, overlooking the Kennebec River Valley. It’s about an hour from both Maine’s scenic coastline and the mountains, as well as 60 minutes from Portland, the state’s largest city.
What major is Colby College known for?
Colby is best known for majors like Economics, Political Science, Neuroscience, Computer Science, International Studies, Psychology, Biology, Environmental Science, Creative Writing, and English, which are among the most popular and highly regarded programs.
How do you take a tour of Colby College?
Visit the Colby admissions website, choose an available date, and register. Tours are led by current students and admissions staff, and pre-registration is required.
Does Colby College offer private campus tours?
Yes, through SchoolScoops, you can book a private campus tour led by a student guide of your choice.
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