Colgate vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Colgate vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($28,736 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 3.5% lower than at Vassar College ($17,610 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colgate (about $724 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $70,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Vassar than at Colgate University (about $724 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $70,306.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Colgate University (55% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($58,334 vs. $57,443).

Colgate vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 10 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colgate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Colgate vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and Vassar? 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 Vassar College's (91%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $345 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($15,780 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($163 vs. $166).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 86%)

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.