Colgate University

Hamilton, NY · Private

Official website

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Admission rate

Colgate University admitted 13.9% of applicants university-wide (2,871 of 20,682).

CohortAdmit rateAdmittedApplicants
University-wide13.9%2,87120,682
Early Decision (binding)19.5%4772,447
Men11.9%1,19610,080
Women15.8%1,67410,588

Early Decision applicants were admitted at 19.5%, vs 13.9% overall — ED is a binding commitment.

Of 2,871 admitted students, 825 enrolled (28.7% yield).

Colgate University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C1–C2 · 2024Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.

Test scores and GPA of admitted students

SAT (mid-50%)
1450–1530
ACT (mid-50%)
33–34
GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)
3.504.00

Testing policy: Test-optional (considered if submitted)

Colgate University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C9–C12 · 2024Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.

Cost and financial aid

Published cost of attendance: $96,356/yr.

Out-of-state tuition$73,206
Fees, housing, food, books & other$23,150
Sticker cost of attendance$96,356/yr

Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)

Under $30k$6,086
$30k–48k$2,678
$48k–75k$13,617
$75k–110k$21,831
Over $110k$48,234

U.S. Dept. of Education · College Scorecard — average net price by family income (Title IV, from IPEDS) · 2023

US applicants

Need- and merit-based aid available.

  • Colgate Merit Scholarship$15,000 - $35,000 per year (Merit)
  • Colgate GrantVaries (meets full demonstrated need) (Need Based)
  • Colgate University GrantVaries (Need Based)

International applicants

Meets full demonstrated need for internationals.

  • Colgate Merit Scholarship$15,000 - $35,000 per year (Merit)
  • Colgate GrantVaries (meets full demonstrated need) (Need Based)
  • Colgate University GrantVaries (Need Based)

Colgate University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections G–H · 2024

Application requirements

US applicants

  • Application Form
  • Early Decision Agreement
  • Two Academic Teacher Recommendations
  • Guidance Counselor Recommendation
  • Official High School Transcript
  • Mid-Year Grades
  • Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) (optional)
  • English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL/IELTS/DET)
  • Arts Portfolio (SlideRoom) (optional)
  • Athletic Materials (optional)
  • Digital Presence URL (optional)
  • Glimpse Video (optional)
  • Application fee

International applicants

  • Application Form
  • Early Decision Agreement
  • Two Academic Teacher Recommendations
  • Guidance Counselor Recommendation
  • Official High School Transcript
  • Mid-Year Grades
  • Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) (optional)
  • English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL/IELTS/DET)
  • Arts Portfolio (SlideRoom) (optional)
  • Athletic Materials (optional)
  • Digital Presence URL (optional)
  • Glimpse Video (optional)
  • Application fee
  • GPA credential conversion
  • Predicted Class XII marksheet
  • Financial documentation (I-20)

Colgate University · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025

Essay prompts

The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 1 college-specific supplement:

  1. Why are you interested in Colgate University?300 words · Required

Draft these in the free Essay Coach

Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026

Graduate outcomes

Median earnings
$85,139
Median earnings · 10 years after entry
Graduation rate
91.2%
Within 150% of normal time
First-year retention
93.4%
Return for year two · CDS Section B
Median debt
$15,000
At graduation

Colgate University · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.

Published rankings

  • U.S. News Liberal Arts: #22
  • WSJ: #40
  • Forbes: #48
  • Niche: #84

Deadlines

  • 2026-11-01Early DecisionBinding early round
  • 2027-01-15Regular DecisionStandard deadline

Colgate University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C21–C22 · 2024

Academics and campus

Largest degree fields: Social sciences (36%), Biological & life sciences (13%), Psychology (9%).

Student–faculty ratio: 9:1.

Colgate University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections E, F, I · 2024Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.

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