Colby College is a private liberal arts college located on Mayflower Hill in Waterville, Maine, USA. Founded in 1813, it is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the United States. Colby was the first all-male college in New England to accept female students in 1871. Forbes in 2014 rated Colby 39th overall in its America’s Top Colleges ranking, which includes military academies, national universities, and liberal arts colleges and 12th among national liberal arts colleges in 2012.
Approximately 1,800 students from more than 60 countries are enrolled annually. The college offers 54 major fields of study and 30 minors. The 2015 annual ranking of U.S. News & World Report categorizes it as ‘most selective’ and rates it tied for the 15th best liberal arts college in the nation. In part because of Colby’s location, more than two thirds of Colby students participate in study abroad programs. Colby College competes in the NESCAC conference.
Students choose from courses in 54 major fields and have wide flexibility in designing independent study programs, electing special majors, and participating in internships and study-abroad programs. Colby emphasizes project-based learning. Colby’s most popular majors are Government, Economics, and Biology. Volunteer programs and service learning take many students into the surrounding community.
The Colby Mules compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference, and the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Consortium. There are 16 varsity teams for women, 15 for men, and one co-ed team. The official school colors are blue and gray. Approximately 1/3 of the student population participates in one or more of 32 intercollegiate varsity sports. Colby also offers club sports and an intramural sports program called I-Play. As of 2013, 5 graduates have qualified for the Olympic Games.