Colby College — ROI, Cost & Payback
Colby College charges a net price of $17,180/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $68,720. Graduates earn a median $80,490 ten years after entry, $32,130/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.1 years — a 20-year net return of $573,880, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Colby College's 2.1-year payback ranks #83 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 94% of them, and #3 of 27 in Maine.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,180/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $68,720 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $80,490 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $32,130/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,157 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $573,880 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Colby College's own numbers. Net price $17,180 × 4 years = $68,720 total. Median earnings $80,490 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $32,130 a year of premium. $68,720 ÷ $32,130 = 2.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $573,880. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Colby College students graduate with?
A median $19,157 in federal loans among completers, or 24% of the $80,490 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Colby College students graduate?
89% finish their degree. Spread the $68,720 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $77,213 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Colby College expensive compared with other Maine colleges?
Its $17,180 net price runs $0 above the $17,180 median across the 27 Maine colleges we profile, or $0 more across the full degree.