Colgate University — College Profile

About

Colgate University is a premier liberal arts institution best known for its rigorous academics, robust undergraduate research opportunities, and exceptional outcomes in popular majors like economics, political science, and the natural sciences. Set on a picturesque campus in Hamilton, New York, Colgate uniquely pairs the intimate learning environment of a small college with the high-energy spirit of NCAA Division I athletics and a comprehensive Liberal Arts Core Curriculum. Student life is dynamic, collaborative, and active, defined by an outdoor-friendly campus culture, a strong tradition of off-campus study, and a famously loyal alumni network.

Wikipedia: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.

Location

Hamilton, NY, 13346-1398 · Rural campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

SYR · Syracuse

35 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$70,306

Housing & food (on campus)$17,610

Books & supplies$1,570

Cost of attendance$100,224

Average net price$28,786

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$70,306

Housing & food (on campus)$17,610

Books & supplies$1,570

Cost of attendance$100,224

Average net price$28,786

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.colgate.edu

How it’s made up · 2026-27

Colgate University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$76,828

Fees$462

Housing$9,348

Food$10,008

Books & supplies$1,600

Personal expenses$1,128

Transportation$800

Total published by the school$100,224

Source: www.colgate.edu · checked Sep 13, 2026

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$6,086

$30–48k

$2,678

$48–75k

$13,617

$75–110k

$21,831

$110k+

$48,234

Your family's actual price → Colgate University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

91%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

85%

Back for yr 2

93%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

91% graduated · 7% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$64,949

10 yrs after entry$85,139

Debt

Median at graduation$15,000

Monthly payment$159

Middle 50% owe$8k–$18.9k

90th percentile$25,333

Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

14%

Test policy

Test optional

Checked Sep 2026

SAT average

1508

R 710–760 · M 720–780

ACT midpoint

Comp 33–34 · E 34–35 · M 30–34

SAT middle 50%: 1430–1540

40080012001600

Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry

Early Decision I

Nov 1 2026

binding in 30 days · Early Decision 1

If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.

Early Decision II

Jan 15 2027

binding in 105 days

A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.

Regular Decision

Jan 15 2027

in 105 days

Not binding: the standard deadline.

Checked Sep 2026 · colgate.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts

How much essays count at Colgate University: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)

Source: Colgate University's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If Colgate University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 43%Women 57%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

9 : 1

Pell grant

13%

First-gen

18%

Family income

$76,732

Age at entry

19.0

Part-time

Race & ethnicity

White

64%

Hispanic

10%

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Basketball
Men's · Women's
Field Hockey
Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's
Ice Hockey
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Men's · Women's
Rowing
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming and Diving (combined)
Men's · Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$64,949

After 10 yrs

$85,139

Economics147

Political Science and Government76

Computer Science62

Research and Experimental Psychology62

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology54

International Relations and National Security Studies44

English Language and Literature, General39

History39

Natural Resources Conservation and Research38

Biology, General37

Philosophy32

Neurobiology and Neurosciences31

Sociology29

Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution25

Physics24

Education, General20

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$1.3B

Full-time faculty

93%

Faculty salary

$13,098/mo

Teaching spend

$29,447

per student

Federal loans

12%

Classification

Carnegie type

Baccalaureate — arts & sciences

Research activity

Research college or university

$5M research spending

Undergraduate profile