Colgate vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Middlebury based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Colgate vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College than Colgate ($26,233 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 8.5% lower than at Middlebury College ($17,610 vs. $19,250).
• Colgate University is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middlebury (about $2,706 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Colgate than at Middlebury College (about $2,706 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Middlebury College than at Colgate University (47% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Middlebury College students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($59,647 vs. $58,334).

Colgate vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Middlebury College (1500) is 10 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Middlebury 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; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Middlebury students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (13.9%) than Middlebury (10.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Colgate vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College's (90%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Middlebury graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $72,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middlebury College graduates have a $236 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($15,889 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Middlebury graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($164 vs. $166).
• More Middlebury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.