MHC vs. Colgate

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colgate University is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

MHC vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC or Colgate? 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 MHC ($28,736 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 10.5% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($17,610 vs. $19,684).
• Colgate University is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $3,288 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Colgate than at Mount Holyoke College (about $3,288 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Colgate University (77% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($58,334 vs. $52,418).

MHC vs. Colgate Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 30 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming MHC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Colgate (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Colgate University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Colgate University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Colgate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

MHC vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC and Colgate? 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $25,300 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $5,081 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($16,125 vs. $21,206).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($166 vs. $219).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 77%)

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.