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#3 Best Colleges in New York

Colgate Admission Requirements

Hamilton, New York

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Your chances of getting into Colgate University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

12.4%
Admission Difficulty for Colgate University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Colgate is 12.4%.  Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in New York and the 43rd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Colgate and can you get accepted?

Colgate is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 2,624 out of the 21,109 who applied were admitted.

Colgate University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.77. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 31% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Colgate?

12% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Colgate University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.77 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1470 on the SAT
  • Score 33 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Colgate GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.77

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Colgate University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Colgate are to have around a 3.77 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as Colgate is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Colgate is 3.77 on the 4.0 scale. 21% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #14 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Colgate is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Colgate University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 20.54% Good
3.75 to 3.99 36.91% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 27.65% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 11.4% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 2.94% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.56% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Colgate SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Colgate University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 31% of students submitted SAT scores and 23% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1410-1530

Applicants Submitting SAT 

31%
SAT Scores for Colgate University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 700
Math 25th Percentile 710
Composite 25th Percentile 1410
SAT Scores for Colgate University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 750
Math 75th Percentile 780
Composite 75th Percentile 1530
Average SAT Score 1470

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Colgate University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Colgate is 1470 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1410-1530. Students who get into Colgate University score in the top 4 percent of all SAT test takers..  Colgate ranks #8 in the state of New York and #48 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1470 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Colgate regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1410 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1410, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1350, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Colgate University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1470 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1470, you have around a 12% chance of being admitted. A 1530 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 21% chance of getting in.

Colgate University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1530 and Above Good >21%
1470 to 1530 Avg + 12%-21%
1410 to 1470 Avg - 7%-12%
1350 to 1410 Reach 4%-7%
Less than 1350 Low <4%
Calculate My Chances 

Colgate ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

32-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

23%
ACT Scores for Colgate University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 33
Math 25th Percentile 29
Composite 25th Percentile 32
ACT Scores for Colgate University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 33
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 33

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Colgate?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Colgate is 33, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 32 and 34.  The school ranks #6 in New York and #44 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 33. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 32 and score in the score in the top 3 percent nationally.

23 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Colgate University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Colgate University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Colgate for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 33 score has around 12% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 21% with a 34 ACT score.

Colgate University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >21%
33 to 34 Avg + 12%-21%
32 to 33 Avg - 7%-12%
31 to 32 Reach 4%-7%
Less than 31 Low <4%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

77% of Colgate University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Colgate University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 77%
Top 25% of class 93%
Top 50% of class 100%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Colgate University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 11,723 9,386 21,109
Accepted 1,548 1,076 2,624
Acceptance Rate 13% 11% 12%
Enrolled 469 343 812
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 30% 32% 31%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

43

Applicants have 43 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Colgate University is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Colgate University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Colgate University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Colgate University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Colgate is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.77 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1470 on the SAT and optimally 1530 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 33 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Colgate University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=190099 IPEDS survey data for Colgate University.

Last updated February 24, 2024