Colby College's Acceptance Rate Results for the Class of 2029
Arkesh P.
Chief Operating Officer
Summary
Colby College, a top liberal arts college in the US, has an acceptance rate of 7% for the Class of 2029. This post breaks down Colby's acceptance rate results with insights to help prospective applicants better understand Colby's admissions landscape.
Colby College, a prestigious liberal arts college in Maine, has completed its admissions cycle for the Class of 2029. The school received a record-setting 20,144 applicants, resulting in a very selective 7% overall acceptance rate, on par with last year.
Colby College does not report acceptance rate data for its Early Decision application round limiting a full understanding of the school’s selectivity. Based on available data, this post offers a breakdown of Colby’s admissions results, with insights to help prospective applicants chart their own future path to Colby College or other top-ranked liberal arts colleges.
Colby College's Overall Acceptance Rate by Year
| Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | Class of 2027 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of applicants | 20,144 | 19,188 | 17,800 |
| Number of acceptances | 1,410 | 1,275 | 1,142 |
| Acceptance rate | 7% | 6.6% | 6.4% |
Key Trends and Insights
- The number of overall applicants to Colby College has been steadily increasing, which it did again this year, rising to 20,144 — up from 19,188 last year (an increase of 5% in overall applications).
- The overall acceptance rate has decreased slightly over the past five years, down from 9.4% for the Class of 2024, to 6.6% for the Class of 2028, and 7% this year.
- Early Decision acceptance rate data are not reported by Colby. Following trends at other colleges, we expect that applying Early Decision to Colby offers applicants a significant statistical advantage in the form of a higher acceptance rate, compared to the regular decision acceptance rate.
- Higher Acceptance Rates: Early-round applicants typically enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision applicants.
- Demonstrated Interest: Applying early shows Colby your strong interest in joining their academic community.
Historical Trends
Colby College's Acceptance Statistics Last 10 Years
| Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2026 | Class of 2025 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2023 | Class of 2022 | Class of 2021 | Class of 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Applicants | 20,144 | 19,188 | 17,800 | 16,891 | 15,857 | 13,922 | 13,584 | 12,314 | 11,190 | 9,833 |
| Number of Acceptances | 1,410 | 1,275 | 1,142 | 1,258 | 1,279 | 1,307 | 1,295 | 1,602 | 1,750 | 1,840 |
| Acceptance Rate | 7% | 6.6% | 6.4% | 7.4% | 8.1% | 9.4% | 9.5% | 13% | 15.6% | 18.7% |
These historical data demonstrate Colby's consistently competitive admissions landscape. The increasing applicant numbers and decreasing acceptance rates at Colby College over the last 10 years reflect the broader landscape of elite college admissions.
- Academic Excellence: Maintain top grades and a high GPA to improve your chances of being a top applicant to Colby.
- Strong Essays: Present well-crafted essays to showcase your unique voice and story.
- Leadership and Extracurriculars: Demonstrate meaningful engagement outside the classroom.
- Test Scores: If submitting, aim for high SAT or ACT scores within or above Colby's reported range.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations to the students admitted to Colby's Class of 2029 — your achievement reflects remarkable dedication and excellence.
For students aspiring to get into Colby College, strategic preparation guided by a personally-tailored roadmap is essential.
Crimson Education specializes in helping ambitious students navigate this challenging process, offering them informed guidance so they can build compelling applications that reflect their authentic strengths and passions.
If you're a student or parent interested in Colby or other top liberal arts colleges, schedule a free feedback session with an advisor and start charting your path to success.