Colgate University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $81,100 within 10 years; exceptional 91% graduation rate.
About This School
Colgate University is a private nonprofit institution located in Hamilton, New York with approximately 3,180 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 14%. The average net price after financial aid is $28,786 per year. The graduation rate is 91%, and the typical graduate earns $81,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, United States. It was founded in 1819 as the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York and operated under that name until 1823, when it was renamed Hamilton Theological and Literary Institution, often called Hamilton College (1823–1846), then Madison College (1846–1890), and its present name since 1890.
This is a strong option for students who want a tight-knit liberal arts experience with serious academic outcomes — a 91% graduation rate and median earnings of $81,100 a decade out suggest most students land on their feet. At just over 3,100 undergrads and a 12% acceptance rate, you're looking at a selective, small-campus environment that clearly works for the students it admits. The average net price of around $29,000/year and a median debt of only $13,000 at graduation are genuinely encouraging financial numbers, though Hamilton, NY is a very rural setting that isn't for everyone.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 16% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Colgate University graduates earn most above the national rate in Computer Science ($161,980 vs $107,009 nationally).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 147 | $128,887 | $82,686 | +$46,201 |
| Political Science and Government | 76 | $83,188 | $63,293 | +$19,895 |
| Computer Science | 62 | $161,980 | $107,009 | +$54,971 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 44 | $77,199 | $66,596 | +$10,603 |
| History | 39 | $75,784 | $50,680 | +$25,104 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 39 | $60,702 | $48,590 | +$12,112 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 38 | $70,760 | $55,012 | +$15,748 |
| Biology, General | 37 | $57,996 | $57,214 | +$782 |
| Education, General | 20 | $57,530 | $49,808 | +$7,722 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 16 | $81,802 | $55,000 | +$26,802 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (3,180 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Colgate University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Colgate University?
Colgate University has an acceptance rate of 14%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Colgate University hard to get into?
Yes. With an acceptance rate of 14%, Colgate University is highly selective, so strong grades, a rigorous course load, and a standout application matter.
How much does Colgate University cost?
The average net price at Colgate University is about $28,786 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Colgate University?
Colgate University has a graduation rate of 91%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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