Colgate vs. Hamilton College

Colgate University and Hamilton College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colgate University
Hamilton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Hamilton College (13.6% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1500 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $28,736 at Colgate vs $28,719 at Hamilton College. Colgate in-state tuition is about $1,346 more per year.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Hamilton College 89%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Hamilton College $79,000 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Hamilton College
Acceptance rate
Hamilton College more selective
Colgate13.9%
Hamilton College13.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Hamilton College higher
Colgate1430-1540
Hamilton College1450-1550
Average net price
About even
Colgate$28,736
Hamilton College$28,719
In-state tuition
Hamilton College $1,346 less
Colgate$70,306
Hamilton College$68,960
Out-of-state tuition
Hamilton College $1,346 less
Colgate$70,306
Hamilton College$68,960
Graduation rate
Colgate +3 pts
Colgate92%
Hamilton College89%
Median earnings (10 years)
Hamilton College +$3,700
Colgate$75,300
Hamilton College$79,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Hamilton College 8,531
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Hamilton College 1,162
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Hamilton College 13.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Hamilton College 39%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Hamilton College 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Hamilton College 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Hamilton College 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Hamilton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Hamilton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Hamilton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Hamilton College 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Hamilton College 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Hamilton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Hamilton College $17,510
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Hamilton College $28,719
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Hamilton College $55,511
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Hamilton College 89%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Hamilton College $79,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Hamilton College 90%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Hamilton College $15,760
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Hamilton College $162
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Hamilton College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Hamilton College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Hamilton College Clinton, NY
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Hamilton College Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Hamilton College 2,031
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Hamilton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Hamilton College #26

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Hamilton College in Clinton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Colgate University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,031 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 0.6% lower than at Colgate University ($17,510 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Colgate than at Hamilton College (about $1,346 more per year; $70,306 vs. $68,960).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Colgate University (56% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 5.1% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($58,334 vs. $55,511).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Hamilton College than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Hamilton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Hamilton College average a 3.87 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $365 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($15,760 vs. $16,125).
  • Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($162 vs. $166).
  • More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 86%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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