Colgate vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

Colgate vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or RIT ? 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 RIT ($28,736 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 8.3% lower than at Colgate University ($16,142 vs. $17,610).
• Colgate University is 18.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $11,032 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at Colgate than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $11,032 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Colgate University (98% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 66.3% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($58,334 vs. $35,077).

Colgate vs. RIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 110 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming Colgate students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; RIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 16.3% at RIT .

Colgate vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and RIT ? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $11,875 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($16,125 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $123 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($166 vs. $289).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 75%)

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.