Colby Community College: $4,046 Tuition

$4,046Tuition

837Students

57%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$41,889Earnings

#5 in KansasPublic2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Colby Community College

Colby Community College builds careers through hands-on technical training and competitive athletics in rural western Kansas. The school enrolls 837 students who come for strong workforce preparation programs and nationally recognized sports teams. Students here focus on practical skills that lead directly to jobs in agriculture, healthcare, and technical fields.

The financial picture works in students' favor. Average net price sits at $8,021, but low-income families pay just $6,119 after aid. Graduates earn a median of $41,889 ten years out, while typical debt loads stay manageable at $8,908. Monthly loan payments average only $94, making this education affordable for working-class families. The 93.5% employment rate shows employers value what students learn here.

Women make up 72.3% of the student body, reflecting the school's strong nursing and allied health programs. The Trojans field 12 varsity sports with 141 athletes competing at the NJCAA level. Athletic scholarships total $854,048, providing real opportunities for student-athletes in small-town Kansas. With a 21:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personal attention while building the technical skills rural communities need.

Academics & Faculty

Colby Community College serves as a stepping stone for rural Kansas students pursuing career-focused technical education and transfer pathways. The 21:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay manageable in this small-town setting, though students need to stay motivated since only 57% complete their programs within six years. The college emphasizes hands-on training in agriculture, nursing, and automotive technology programs that align with regional job markets. Students benefit from the personal attention that comes with an enrollment of just 837. The semester system allows flexibility for working students common in farming communities. Most graduates either transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce with marketable technical skills.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Full-Time Faculty: 88.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 57.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $41,889

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$41,007

View all 31 programs →

Campus Life

Colby sits in northwest Kansas farm country, about 350 miles from Denver and 200 miles from Wichita. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, so pack a heavy coat for the long prairie winters. About 33% of the college's 837 students live in campus housing, creating a tight-knit residential community despite the rural setting.

The Trojans compete in 12 NJCAA sports with 141 total athletes, making athletics central to campus life. Athletic scholarships total $854,048, reflecting the school's commitment to competitive programs. Women make up 72% of enrollment, often drawn to the strong nursing and allied health programs. Weekend activities revolve around sporting events and trips to nearby Goodland or even Denver for shopping and entertainment. The 21:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name. Only 23% receive Pell Grants, indicating many students come from working farm families rather than urban poverty. Small-town atmosphere dominates, where everyone recognizes faces across the 837-student campus.

Setting: Town-Remote
Housing Capacity: 276 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 14°–41°F
July Avg: 62°–91°F
Annual Precipitation: 40.1"
Annual Snowfall: 50.3"

Student Demographics

Colby draws students from across Kansas and beyond, with 58% coming from in-state. The student body is nearly three-quarters female, reflecting the college's strong nursing and health programs that attract women to rural western Kansas. Most students come from working families who value practical education and career training. The college serves as an educational anchor for the surrounding agricultural region, preparing local students for technical careers while also drawing others seeking affordable healthcare and trades education. Many students are first-generation college attendees looking for direct pathways to employment.

Men: 27.7%
Women: 72.3%
White: 70.9%
Black: 3.8%
Hispanic: 4.1%
Asian: 0.5%
In-State Students: 58.1%
Pell Grant Recipients: 22.9%

Location

Colby sits in northwest Kansas, about 350 miles from Kansas City and 200 miles from Denver. This remote college town of roughly 5,400 people serves as an agricultural center in the High Plains region. The campus houses 276 students in a community where cattle ranching and wheat farming dominate the landscape. With 58% of students coming from in-state, Colby draws heavily from rural Kansas communities seeking affordable higher education close to home. The setting offers small-town familiarity but limited urban amenities. Students get personal attention in this tight-knit environment where everyone knows each other. The vast prairie stretches endlessly in all directions. Students considering colleges in Kansas may also compare Colby Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Colby, Kansas 67701

Colby Community College Bedker Memorial Complex

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $41,889
Median Earnings (5 years): $48,361
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $31,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 57.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $94/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $8,908

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Colby Community College?

Colby Community College has open enrollment as a public community college, meaning they accept all students who have completed high school or earned a GED. The college serves 837 students in rural Kansas with a focus on making higher education accessible to local and regional students. About 58% of students come from Kansas while others travel from neighboring states for the affordable programs.

How much does Colby Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,021 annually at Colby Community College. In-state tuition costs $4,046 while out-of-state students pay $5,736, making it one of the more affordable options in Kansas. Nearly 23% of students receive Pell Grants, and graduates typically leave with just $8,908 in debt.

What academic programs is Colby Community College known for?

Colby Community College emphasizes career-focused technical education and workforce preparation programs. Students work with faculty at a 21:1 ratio in hands-on programs designed to meet regional employment needs. The college operates on a semester system and maintains strong connections with local employers in agriculture and technical fields.

What do graduates of Colby Community College typically earn?

Colby Community College graduates earn a median salary of $41,889 ten years after graduation. The employment rate reaches 93.5%, reflecting the college's focus on practical skills training. About 57% of students graduate within six years, and most find work in Kansas and surrounding rural areas.

Where do students live at Colby Community College?

Colby Community College houses 276 students in on-campus dormitories, with room and board costing $8,378 annually. The campus sits in the remote town of Colby, Kansas, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere. About 72% of the student body is female, reflecting enrollment patterns common in rural community colleges.

Does Colby Community College have strong athletics programs?

Colby Community College fields 12 varsity sports teams competing in the NJCAA with 141 total athletes. The Trojans distribute $854,048 in athletic scholarships annually, making sports a significant pathway for student funding. Athletics serves as a major draw for the college and helps build school spirit in the small Kansas community.