Organizer Information
Colby College is a private, independent, four-year liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine, offering undergraduate education leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Its arts-related academic areas include Art, Cinema Studies, Creative Writing, Music, and Performance, Theater, and Dance. The college also operates the Colby College Museum of Art and other arts facilities supporting interdisciplinary study and creative practice.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Colby College
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Academic Fields: Art, Art History, Studio Art, Cinema Studies, Creative Writing, Music, Performance, Theater & Dance
- Relevant Programs: Art History major; Studio Art major; Cinema Studies minor; other arts-related undergraduate study
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Regular Decision
- Application Deadline: 15 November 2026 (ED I); 4 January 2027 (ED II and Regular Decision)
- Start of Studies:
- Application Fee: $0
- Tuition: $75,790 in tuition and fees for 2026–2027
- Funding: Need-based financial aid; Colby meets 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Colby offers undergraduate study in the arts and humanities through departments including Art and Cinema Studies. The Art Department combines studio-art and art-history coursework. Studio Art and Art History are available as majors, while Cinema Studies is offered as a minor focused on the history, theory, and practice of film and related media.
- The curriculum also supports interdisciplinary study. Students can combine arts disciplines with other academic fields, and Colby permits independent majors for academic interests that do not correspond to existing majors.
General Eligibility
- Colby accepts applications regardless of citizenship or background. International applicants follow the same undergraduate application process as domestic applicants.
- Applicants apply as first-year or transfer students according to their educational circumstances. Colby does not require an admissions interview; optional third-party interview materials may be submitted through approved services.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must submit a high school transcript and a completed secondary school report from a school official. Colby states that its most competitive applicants typically have completed at least 20 core academic units, including four years of English, three years of mathematics, two years of laboratory science, two years of history/social science, and two years of other college-preparatory electives.
- Transfer applicants must submit a Transfer College Report and current and previous college transcripts where applicable.
Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language and current language of instruction are not English must submit a score report from TOEFL iBT/Home Edition, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo English Test (DET). Colby does not state a minimum score on the cited admissions pages. Applicants may self-report these scores. All application materials must be submitted in English.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| First-year applicants | $0 |
| Transfer applicants | $0 |
Colby states that applying through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application is free.
Tuition
| Academic Year | Tuition & Fees | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026–2027 | $75,790 | Annual | $500 COOT fee for incoming first-year students |
The 2026–2027 published cost of attendance also lists $19,480 for food and housing, $1,700 for personal expenses and books, and $50–$1,300 for travel/transportation, producing an estimated total cost of attendance of $97,020–$98,270.
Funding & Financial Support
- Colby meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, including international students. Its financial aid packages are designed to meet demonstrated need without student loans. Financial aid is need-based; Colby states that merit scholarships based on academic, athletic, or other talent are not available.
- International applicants seeking institutional financial aid must submit the CSS Profile. Colby provides a CSS Profile fee waiver for students for whom the application fee creates a financial burden.
University Services & Academic Support
Colby provides academic advising, tutoring, and support through faculty advisors and DavisConnects. DavisConnects provides students with access to internship, research, and global-experience opportunities. Arts students also have access to facilities and organizations including the Colby College Museum of Art, Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts, Greene Block + Studios, and Lyons Arts Lab.
Application Requirements
First-year applicants must submit:
- Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application
- High school transcript
- Secondary school report
- One counselor recommendation
- Two teacher recommendations
- English-language proficiency test result, when applicable
- Financial aid application, if seeking financial aid
Early Decision applicants must also submit the Early Decision Agreement. Standardized test scores are optional. Additional recommendation letters and Schoolhouse.world portfolios are optional.
Art portfolio: Optional. Colby accepts an art supplement after the application has been submitted. Art applicants are encouraged to submit a portfolio representative of their studies and current abilities; up to 20 images may be submitted, with images, video, and PDFs accepted.
Interview: Colby does not offer interviews as part of its admissions process. Optional InitialView, Vericant, or Duolingo video-interview materials may be accepted.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision I Application Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Decision I Financial Aid Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Decision I Optional/Supporting Materials Deadline: 22 November 2026
- Early Decision I Decision: On or before 15 December 2026
- Early Decision II Application Deadline: 4 January 2027
- Early Decision II Financial Aid Deadline: 4 January 2027
- Early Decision II Optional/Supporting Materials Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision II Decision: On or before 15 February 2027
- Regular Decision Application Deadline: 4 January 2027
- Regular Decision Financial Aid Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Optional/Supporting Materials Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Decision: On or before 1 April 2027
- International CSS Profile — Early Decision I: 15 November
- International CSS Profile — Early Decision II: 4 January
- International CSS Profile — Regular Decision: 15 January
Location
Colby College — Waterville, Maine, United States
Additional Details
- Colby is a need-aware institution. International students are eligible for institutional financial aid, but financial need is considered in the admissions process.
- The Art portfolio is an optional admissions supplement rather than a general admission requirement. Colby's current arts supplement page specifically encourages art applicants to submit representative work but does not require a particular number of images.
- Cinema Studies is currently documented as an undergraduate minor, not a standalone bachelor's degree program. Its curriculum includes film history, theory, filmmaking, documentary, visual storytelling, experimental cinema, streaming media, and related subjects.