Colgate vs. EC

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Elmira College is in Elmira, NY (Small City setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Elmira College 11:1.

Colgate vs. EC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or EC? 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 Elmira College than Colgate ($23,682 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 17.4% lower than at Colgate University ($14,550 vs. $17,610).
• Colgate University is 80.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $31,330 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.4% higher at Colgate than at Elmira College (about $31,330 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Colgate University (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 102.7% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($58,334 vs. $28,780).

Colgate vs. EC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 250 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Colgate students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; Elmira College 1090/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Elmira College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; EC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 12.3% at EC.

Colgate vs. EC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and EC? 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).

• Colgate University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $29,300 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $10,875 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($16,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($166 vs. $279).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 72%)

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.