Colgate vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Colgate vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Columbia? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Colgate ($22,520 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 0.2% lower than at Colgate University ($17,580 vs. $17,610).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colgate (about $1,539 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Columbia than at Colgate University (about $1,539 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,306.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Colgate University (52% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 14.9% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($67,010 vs. $58,334).

Colgate vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate or Columbia? 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 Columbia and Colgate.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 60 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Columbia 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: Colgate University 1430/1540; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia 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 Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Colgate vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and Columbia? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Colgate University's (92%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $32,300 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($16,125 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($166 vs. $222).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 76%)

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.