Your chances of getting into Colby College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Colby College is 7.6%. Its admission rate is the lowest in Maine and the 24th lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Colby College and can you get accepted?
Colby College is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 1,286 out of the 16,890 who applied were admitted.
Colby College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.86. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those applicants who were admitted, 52% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.
Can you get into Colby College?
8% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to Colby College you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.86 or better
- Earn A- grades in high school
- Score 1490 on the SAT
- Score 33 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
Colby College GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into Colby College?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into Colby College are to have around a 3.86 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.
Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Colby College extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.86 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.86 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at Colby College is 3.86 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #1 in Maine for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since Colby College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.
*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.86 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.
Colby College SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Colby College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 42% of students submitted SAT scores and 23% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 710 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 720 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1430 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 750 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 790 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1540 |
| Average SAT Score | 1490
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Colby College?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at Colby College is 1490 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1430-1540. Students who get into Colby College score in the top 3 percent of all SAT test takers.. Colby College ranks #2 in the state of Maine and #39 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1490 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Colby College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1430 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1430, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1370, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
Colby College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1490 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1485, you have around a 8% chance of being admitted. A 1540 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 14% chance of getting in.
Colby College ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 33 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 30 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 32 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 35 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 34 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 34 |
| Average ACT Score | 33
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Colby College?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to Colby College is 33, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 32 and 34. The school ranks #2 in Maine and #40 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 33. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 32 and score in the score in the top 3 percent nationally.
23 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Colby College.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Colby College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into Colby College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 33 score has around 8% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 14% with a 34 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
86% of Colby College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 86% |
| Top 25% of class | 93% |
| Top 50% of class | 99% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 9,338 | 7,552 | 16,890 |
| Accepted | 704 | 582 | 1,286 |
| Acceptance Rate | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| Enrolled | 350 | 323 | 673 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 50% | 55% | 52% |
Fall 2024 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2024 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 1, 2024.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Colby College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Colby College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) |
| High School GPA | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| High School Class Rank | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Recommendations | Required to be considered for admission |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | No |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because Colby College is extremely competitive, you have a very low likelihood of acceptance. It is critical that you earn at least a 3.86 GPA to have any chance. Additionally, you need to score at least a 1490 on the SAT and optimally 1540 to put yourself in a competitive position. For ACT scores, you should really strive for a 33 to have the best chance of getting in.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Colby College often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=161086 IPEDS survey data for Colby College.
FAQs
Does Colby College prefer SAT or ACT?
42% of students submit their SAT scores to Colby College. 23% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Colby College?
8% of those who apply are granted admission to Colby College. Admission competition is extreme and the college has elite admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Colby College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1430 and 1540. The average SAT score is 1485. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Colby College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 32 and 34. The average ACT score is 33. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.