Colby College

Waterville, ME · founded 1813 · 2,200 students · liberal arts college · NESCAC

Known for: Colby College is a highly selective private liberal arts college known for its strong environmental science programs and its picturesque campus in Maine. It is also recognized for its Jan Plan, a unique month-long term in January where students pursue internships, research, or specialized courses.

Rankings

U.S. News liberal arts: #25
Forbes: #68

Top programmes

Environmental Science
Government
Economics
Biology
Computer Science
International Relations

Notable alumni

John Lithgow — Academy Award-nominated actor
David Corn — Journalist and Washington bureau chief for Mother Jones
Robert L. Johnson — Founder of BET (Black Entertainment Television)
Dennis Lehane — Author of novels like 'Mystic River' and 'Shutter Island'
Michele Tafoya — Former NBC Sports sideline reporter
Peter Tufo — Former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary
Susan Collins — U.S. Senator from Maine
Ben Cohen — Co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream

Traditions

Winter Carnival
Colby Day (spring festival)
Lighting of the Miller Library steps
Polar Bear Swim

If Colby College were…

As a food: wild-caught Maine lobster roll with hand-cut fries — High-quality, regional, unpretentious but undeniably premium. Colby is rooted in Maine terroir—outdoorsy, wholesome, locally-sourced excellence without the need to shout about it.
As an athlete: Mikaela Shiffrin — Elite Alpine skier from the Northeast who dominates through technical precision and relentless work ethic in cold conditions. Colby students are similarly high-achieving, winter-hardy, and quietly excellent without needi
As a person alive today: Annie Leibovitz — Celebrated artist who blends intellectual rigor with creative vision, works meticulously, and has deep New England roots. Colby cultivates that same combination of academic seriousness and creative ambition in a tight-kn
As a historical figure: Henry David Thoreau — Transcendentalist who retreated to nature to think deeply, wrote with precision, and embodied New England intellectual independence. Colby's Mayflower Hill campus and outdoor ethos channel that same contemplative, self-r
As a movie or TV show: Dead Poets Society — Prestigious New England prep-school setting where earnest students grapple with big ideas, form intense friendships, and find themselves through intellectual and outdoor pursuits. Colby has that same earnest, transformat
As a US president: Calvin Coolidge — Quiet, competent New Englander who got things done without fanfare and embodied Yankee restraint. Colby students are similarly understated high-achievers—capable, principled, not interested in grandstanding.
As a city: Burlington, Vermont — Small, progressive, outdoorsy New England city with great natural access, strong community feel, and a population that skews educated and environmentally conscious. Colby captures that same granola-meets-preppy vibe in a
As an element: Titanium — Strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and used in high-performance applications from aerospace to outdoor gear. Colby students are similarly resilient, adaptable, and built for endurance in challenging environments—b
As a car: 1998 Toyota 4Runner Limited — Granola-preppy fusion built for Maine's backcountry—Colby kids need something equally comfortable at L.L.Bean and the trailhead. Rugged enough for outdoor adventures, reliable enough to survive Waterville winters, with t

Campus life

Colby's campus life is characterized by a close-knit, outdoorsy community with a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental engagement. Social life revolves around campus events, clubs, and outdoor activities, with a relatively low-key party scene compared to larger universities. The residential campus fosters strong bonds among students.