Colby College SAT & ACT Scores
Colby is test-optional, so the SAT and ACT are not required for fall 2027. Among students admitted for fall 2026 who sent scores, the middle 50% SAT range was 1430–1520 and the middle 50% ACT range was 33–34. Colby College offered admission to about 8% of the 21,065 students who applied for that class.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Colby College's admitted students, students admitted for fall 2026.
Is Colby College test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Colby is test-optional: first-year applicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, and self-reported scores are accepted until admitted students enroll.
Superscoring. Colby College superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Colby College's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2019 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
Colby dropped its standardized testing requirement in 2018 and has been test-optional since. You decide whether to include scores. Self-reported SAT and ACT scores are accepted, and admitted students who used scores send official reports before they enroll. If you change your mind, you can tell the admissions office through the update form in your Colby portal. When you do submit, Colby superscores all exams, including the ACT, and counts section retests toward the superscore.
Colby College SAT scores
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1430–1520.
SAT score distribution
Admitted students, students admitted for fall 2026| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1430 | — | 1520 |
Scores of admitted students who submitted test scores (Class of 2030, as of August 1, 2026), students admitted for fall 2026. Source: Colby College Profile (Class of 2030).
What your SAT means here
Colby's college profile puts the middle 50% SAT range for students admitted for fall 2026 who submitted scores at 1430–1520. A quarter of those students scored 1430 or lower, and a quarter scored 1520 or higher. Colby does not publish section ranges or the share of students who submitted.
These are admitted students, not enrolled students, and only those who chose to send scores. Treat this range as a picture of the scores that admitted submitters shared, not as a cutoff.
Since Colby superscores, your best section scores across test dates are combined. A total near the top of 1430–1520 is in line with recent admitted submitters.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Colby College ACT scores
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 33–34 on the ACT.
ACT score distribution
Admitted students, students admitted for fall 2026| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 33 | — | 34 |
Scores of admitted students who submitted test scores (Class of 2030, as of August 1, 2026), students admitted for fall 2026. Source: Colby College Profile (Class of 2030).
What your ACT means here
For students admitted for fall 2026 who submitted the ACT, the middle 50% composite was 33–34. A quarter scored 33 or lower and a quarter scored 34 or higher.
Colby superscores the ACT too, and it accepts individual section retest results as part of the superscore. A composite of 34 or higher sits at the top of the admitted range.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Colby College acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 8% of first-year applicants were admitted (students admitted for fall 2026).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants21,065
- Acceptance rate8%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Early Decision I and Early Decision II (both binding) plus Regular Decision; no Early Action.
Students admitted for fall 2026. Source: Colby College Profile (Class of 2030).
Colby offers two binding Early Decision rounds, Early Decision I and Early Decision II, plus Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Action. If you plan to use scores for an Early Decision round, take your tests before that round's deadline.
What to aim for
If you send scores to Colby, a practical target is 1520 or higher on the SAT or 34 or higher on the ACT. Scores within 1430–1520 or 33–34 fit recent admitted submitters. If your scores are well below those ranges, applying without them is a common choice at a test-optional college.
Because scores are optional, an application without them is complete at Colby, and the required parts of the application are the same either way. If Colby is your first choice, Early Decision I and II are binding options; plan any testing so scores are in before your round's deadline.
How Colby College compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University | 7.5% | 1540 | 1520–1560 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Amherst College | 7.7% | 1510 | 1470–1540 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| Colby College | 8% | — | 1430–1520 | 33–34 | Test-optional |
| Rice University | 8% | 1540 | 1510–1560 | 34–36 | Test-optional |
| Williams College | 8% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Cornell University | 8.4% | 1530 | 1490–1550 | 33–35 | Required |
Frequently asked questions
Is Colby College test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Colby is test-optional: first-year applicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, and self-reported scores are accepted until admitted students enroll. Colby College superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What SAT score do you need for Colby College?
A score at or above 1520 puts you in the top quarter of Colby College's admitted students, and 1430–1520 is the middle 50% (students admitted for fall 2026). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for Colby College?
Colby College's admitted students had a middle-50% ACT composite of 33–34 (students admitted for fall 2026). A 34 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Colby College's acceptance rate?
Colby College admitted 8% of first-year applicants for the students admitted for fall 2026, which makes it extremely competitive.
What are your chances at Colby College?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.