Colgate University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Hamilton, New York · Private nonprofit · Highly selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Colgate University is a private nonprofit university in Hamilton, New York that admits about 14% of applicants, making it a highly selective school. The average family pays about $28,786 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Economics, Political Science and Government and Research and Experimental Psychology, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 91% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Colgate University is a private institution located in Hamilton, New York and one of the highly selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Colgate University admits between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 14%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1490 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $28,786 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Colgate University?
68% of enrolled students at Colgate University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.85, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Colgate University weight in admissions?
Colgate University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Class rank
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
SAT and ACT scores Colgate University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 720–780, with an EBRW midpoint near 705. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–34. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.
| 25th percentile | 1450 |
| 50th percentile | 1490 |
| 75th percentile | 1530 |
| % submitting SAT | 23% |
| 25th percentile | 33 |
| 50th percentile | 34 |
| 75th percentile | 34 |
| % submitting ACT | 14% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 79% |
| Top 25% of class | 97% |
| Top 50% of class | 99% |
| % submitting class rank | 19% |
How much does Colgate University actually cost?
Published tuition is $70,306 for in-state students and $70,306 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,610 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $28,786 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 13% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Out-of-state tuition | $73,206 |
| Room and board | $18,446 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $28,786 |
| Application fee | $60 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Colgate University
| Regular deadline | 1/15 |
| Notification date | 1-Apr |
| Reply deadline | 1-May |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 15 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 19% |
Will my child graduate from Colgate University?
These predict outcomes at Colgate University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Colgate University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Colgate University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Political Science and Government and Research and Experimental Psychology. Across all programs, Colgate University confers roughly 511 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $130,139 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 143 | $130,139 |
| Political Science and Government | 87 | $95,708 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 74 | — |
| Computer Science | 49 | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 47 | $86,420 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 38 | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 37 | $78,918 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 36 | $60,334 |
Is Colgate University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Colgate University disclosed 6 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Colgate University?
About 93% of undergraduates at Colgate University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Common questions parents ask about Colgate University
What GPA do I need for Colgate University?
68% of enrolled students at Colgate University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.85, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Colgate University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 720–780, with an EBRW midpoint near 705. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–34.
How much does Colgate University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Colgate University after grants and scholarships is $28,786 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $70,306. Budget against the net figure.
Is Colgate University realistic for my child?
Colgate University admits 14% of applicants, so 720–780 SAT Math is target range and below 720 is a reach. Then check the $28,786 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Colgate University?
Colgate University accepts about 14% of applicants out of roughly 20,682 who apply each year. That makes it a highly selective school.
Is Colgate University test-optional?
Yes. Colgate University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Colgate University?
About 91% of students at Colgate University graduate within six years, and 85% finish in four years. 93% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Colgate University?
Colgate University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 19%, compared with its overall rate of 14%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Colgate University look for in applicants?
Colgate University rates course rigor, class rank and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Colgate University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Colgate University is a private nonprofit institution located in Hamilton, New York.
What are the most popular majors at Colgate University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Colgate University by annual graduates are Economics, Political Science and Government and Research and Experimental Psychology. The school awards about 511 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Colgate University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Colgate University reported 6 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.9 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Colgate University?
At Colgate University, 93% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Colgate University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers