Colby Colby College, one of the oldest private liberal arts colleges in the United States, was founded in 1813 in Maine, and is known as one of the "Three Colleges of Maine". Kirby College was named "America's Most Beautiful Campus"; was named one of the nation's most valuable universities, the nation's best liberal arts colleges, and was ranked 15th in the 2015 U.S. News U.S. liberal arts colleges; has five recipients.