Colby College is a private liberal arts institution founded in 1813 and located on a 714-acre campus in Waterville, Maine. The college serves approximately 2,400 undergraduate students drawn from nearly every U.S. state and around 70 countries. Its curriculum comprises over 100 academic programs within a traditional liberal arts framework.
The college operates on a distinctive 4-1-4 academic calendar that includes a dedicated January Plan term. This structure enables students to pursue intensive learning experiences, internships, and independent study projects alongside their regular coursework. Colby maintains extensive study abroad programs that complement its on-campus offerings, extending educational opportunities beyond the Maine campus.
Beyond academics, Colby supports a range of co-curricular activities. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics under the Colby Mules name. The Colby College Museum of Art, housed on campus, serves as an educational resource and is recognized as one of the finest college art museums in the country. The institution emphasizes small classes, accessible faculty committed to teaching and mentoring, and a collaborative approach to intellectual inquiry and problem-solving.
