Colgate vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Fordham University 14:1.

Colgate vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Fordham? 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 Colgate University than Fordham ($28,736 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 26.9% lower than at Fordham University ($17,610 vs. $24,090).
• Colgate University is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $5,391 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Colgate than at Fordham University (about $5,391 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Colgate University (95% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 62.1% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($58,334 vs. $35,988).

Colgate vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 90 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Colgate students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Colgate vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and Fordham? 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $9,875 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($16,125 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($166 vs. $268).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 77%)

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.