Colby College is top tier in American Talent Initiative

File Photo Colby College was among a group of 28 high-graduation-rate institutions that are national leaders in college access and success for lower-income students.

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By Ann Fisher

Founded in 1813, Colby College is the 12th-oldest liberal arts college in the United States and is ranked No. 5 in the 2023 Mainebiz Book of Lists, ranked by full-time undergraduate enrollment as of fall 2022.
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Colby College was earmarked as an American Talent Initiative High-Flier, a group of 28 high-graduation-rate institutions that are national leaders in college access and success for lower-income students.

Colby College received the distinction for its steady gains in lower-income student enrollment since 2015-16, and innovative recruitment, enrollment and retention practices. Over the next year, ATI and Bloomberg Philanthropies will work with High-Fliers to amplify what they have learned to other four-year colleges and universities across the nation. The only other New England colleges to make the list were Boston University, Wellesley College and Yale University.

"The economic fallout from the pandemic has made it even more important for schools across the country to adopt innovative new ways to attract and retain students from under-represented backgrounds," said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and former mayor of New York City. “I applaud ATI's 28 High-Fliers for leading the way in this work and increasing the diversity of their campuses. We hope their efforts serve as an example for other schools that are committed to creating opportunities for more lower-income students, so we can accelerate national progress on this critical challenge.”

Since ATI’s launch in 2016, Colby College has achieved one of the biggest gains in Pell enrollment among its 137 peers.

Colby College has achieved this by recognizing affordability is a crucial driver to college access and success — and seeking to become one of the most affordable colleges in the nation. Colby ensures that families who make $75,000 or less annually with typical assets will have a zero contribution from a parent or family.

“Opening our doors wider for the most talented students from all backgrounds, no matter their personal financial situation, has been a top priority for us,” said David Greene, president of Colby College. “These students have world-changing potential, and those of us leading the nation’s top colleges and universities have an obligation to ensure that the outstanding education we offer is available to them."

This progress has been particularly evident in the two years since Colby College reaffirmed its commitment to this work through ATI’s Accelerating Opportunity campaign. Along with their fellow ATI members, they set public, aspirational lower-income student enrollment goals for the first time to help combat the lingering impacts of the pandemic. Two years in, Colby College is making strides to reach its Accelerating Opportunity goal of a 15% Pell share. They also are advancing a shared commitment among all 137 ATI members to close equity-based retention and graduation gaps.

For more information on ATI and Bloomberg Philanthropies’ other initiatives to expand college access and success, click here.

Founded in 1813, Colby College is the 12th oldest liberal arts college in the United States and is ranked No. 5 in the 2023 Mainebiz Book of Lists, ranked by full-time undergraduate enrollment as of fall 2022.