AU vs. Colgate

Should I go to American University or Colgate University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or Colgate is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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American University vs. Colgate University comparison
American University Colgate University College 3 College 4
American University Colgate University
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Overview

AU Colgate
Location Washington, DC Hamilton, NY
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 13,885 3,141
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #27
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu colgate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU Colgate
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $63,904
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $63,904
Room & Board $15,706 $16,106
Avg Net Price $41,369 $27,074
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $54,647
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 41%

Admission

AU Colgate
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 21,109
Admitted 7,926 2,624
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 12.4%
Enrolled % 22.2% 30.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.77
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 29/32 32/34
SAT Range 1290/1430 1410/1530
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

AU Colgate
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)

Outcomes

AU Colgate
Graduation Rate 77% 92%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $75,300
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $16,125
Median Loan Payment $250 $166

Diversity

AU Colgate
% Men 37% 44%
% Women 63% 56%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 58% 67%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 7% 9%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

AU Colgate
% In-State 2% 19%
% Out-of-State 94% 71%

Campus

AU Colgate
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • American University is larger than than Colgate based on total student enrollment (13,885 students vs. 3,141 students)

AU vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Colgate?

  • Colgate University is 20.4% more expensive to attend than AU for in-state tuition ($63,904.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.4% higher at Colgate than American University ($63,904.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colgate University than AU ($27,074 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 2.5% lower than costs at Colgate University ($15,706 vs. $16,106)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at American University than Colgate University (66% vs. 41%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 101.4% larger than aid received American University ($54,647 vs. $27,138)

AU vs. Colgate Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Colgate? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Colgate or AU .

  • The average SAT score at Colgate University (1374) is 122 points higher than at AU (1252)
  • Incoming Colgate students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (32) than students at AU (28)
  • Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at AU (3.7)
  • AU has a higher acceptance rate (40.6%) than Colgate (12.4%)

AU vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or Colgate? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Colgate and AU.

  • The graduation rate at Colgate is higher than American University (92% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Colgate University earn on average $10,500 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($75,300 vs. $64,800)
  • Colgate University students graduate with a $8,125 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($16,125 vs. $24,250)
  • Colgate graduates are paying $84 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($166 vs. $250)
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/