Amherst vs. Colgate

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colgate University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Amherst vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Colgate? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Colgate ($19,049 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 4.2% lower than at Amherst College ($17,610 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colgate (about $174 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $70,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Amherst than at Colgate University (about $174 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $70,306.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Colgate University (59% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 17.6% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($68,591 vs. $58,334).

Amherst vs. Colgate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Colgate? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Colgate and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 50 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colgate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Colgate University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Colgate University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Colgate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (13.9%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Amherst vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Colgate? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Colgate University's (92%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $3,150 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($12,975 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($134 vs. $166).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.