Colgate vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colgate vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin ($28,736 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 9.7% lower than at Oberlin College ($17,610 vs. $19,510).
• Colgate University is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $2,940 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at Colgate than at Oberlin College (about $2,940 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Colgate University (99% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 63% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($58,334 vs. $35,780).

Colgate vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 50 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Colgate students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Colgate vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and Oberlin? 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 Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $31,400 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $10,454 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($16,125 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($166 vs. $274).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 82%)

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.