Waterville, ME · Private University
Is Colby College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$80,490
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$66,600
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$66,600
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$266,400
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.21x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
90.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,157
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$23,939
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Colby College graduates earn $35,490 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Colby College ranked by graduate earnings
34 graduates
23 graduates
30 graduates
22 graduates
19 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Colby College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Colby College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $102,153) and the lowest (Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics: $42,326) is $59,827/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $102,153 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $92,125 | 1.4x |
| International/Global Studies | $62,539 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $51,623 | 0.8x |
| Area Studies | $48,989 | 0.7x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $44,699 | 0.7x |
| Biology, General(1yr data) | $43,597 | 0.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsLowest(1yr data) | $42,326 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colby College | 1.21x | $80,490 | Average ROI |
| Middlebury College | 1.17x | $76,310 | Average ROI |
| Bowdoin College | 1.27x | $82,735 | Average ROI |
| Hamilton College | 1.19x | $78,411 | Average ROI |
| Amherst College | 1.15x | $77,644 | Average ROI |
| Colgate University | 1.27x | $85,139 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Colby College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $80,490 10 years after starting — $35,490 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.9 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.