Colgate vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colgate University is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

Colgate vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Colgate ($19,814 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 2.6% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($17,610 vs. $18,080).
• Colgate University is 655.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $61,003 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 215.8% higher at Colgate than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $48,043 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at Colgate University (96% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 570.6% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($58,334 vs. $8,699).

Colgate vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 270 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Colgate students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at SUNY-ESF (3.7).
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

Colgate vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $29,100 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $3,625 lower median loan debt than SUNY-ESF graduates ($16,125 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY-ESF graduates ($166 vs. $204).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-ESF students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 78%)

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.