Princeton vs. Colgate

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Princeton vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Colgate ($15,313 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 13% lower than at Princeton University ($17,610 vs. $20,250).
• Colgate University is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $7,618 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Colgate than at Princeton University (about $7,618 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Colgate University (67% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 17.8% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($68,727 vs. $58,334).

Princeton vs. Colgate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 60 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Princeton 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: Princeton University 1510/1580; Colgate University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Colgate University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Colgate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (13.9%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Princeton vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Colgate University's (92%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $38,600 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $8,625 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($7,500 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($77 vs. $166).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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.