Colgate vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colgate University is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Colgate vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Olin College? 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 Olin College ($28,736 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 15.4% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($17,610 vs. $20,810).
• Colgate University is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $3,908 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Colgate than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $3,908 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Colgate University (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 34.8% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($58,334 vs. $43,290).

Colgate vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 40 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Colgate vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and Olin College? 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Colgate University's (92%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $1,415 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($14,710 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($152 vs. $166).

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.