Colgate vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colgate vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College than Colgate ($28,719 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 0.6% lower than at Colgate University ($17,510 vs. $17,610).
• Colgate University is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamilton College (about $1,346 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Colgate than at Hamilton College (about $1,346 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Colgate University (56% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 5.1% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($58,334 vs. $55,511).

Colgate vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 10 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Hamilton College 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; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (13.9%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Colgate vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and Hamilton 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).

• Colgate University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $365 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($15,760 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($162 vs. $166).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 86%)

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.