Colgate vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Colgate vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Colgate ($23,570 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 8.2% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($17,610 vs. $19,174).
• Colgate University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn (about $1,620 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Colgate than at University of Pennsylvania (about $1,620 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pennsylvania than at Colgate University (51% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 12.2% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($65,458 vs. $58,334).

Colgate vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 50 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Penn students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 33 at Colgate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (13.9%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 68% at Penn.

Colgate vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Colgate University's (92%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $48,300 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $4,508 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($16,125 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($166 vs. $213).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 84%)

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.