Colgate vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Colgate vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than Colgate ($19,847 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 11.6% lower than at Colgate University ($15,560 vs. $17,610).
• Colgate University is 692.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $61,432 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 274.3% higher at Colgate than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $51,522 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at State University of New York at Cortland than at Colgate University (63% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 606.7% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($58,334 vs. $8,254).

Colgate vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 320 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Colgate students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• SUNY Cortland has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Colgate vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $28,000 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than SUNY Cortland graduates ($16,125 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Cortland graduates ($166 vs. $222).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland 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.