AU vs. Colgate

American University and Colgate University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 62%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $39,676 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

American University Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
AU62%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
AU1280-1460
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Colgate $10,940 less
AU$39,676
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
AU $11,535 less
AU$58,771
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
AU $11,535 less
AU$58,771
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Colgate +15 pts
AU77%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$10,500
AU$64,800
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 2.1% lower than at American University ($17,610 vs. $17,982).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.6% higher at Colgate than at American University (about $11,535 more per year; $70,306 vs. $58,771).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Colgate University (67% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 60.5% larger than aid received by American University students ($58,334 vs. $36,349).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Colgate than at AU (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at AU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $8,125 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($16,125 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($166 vs. $250).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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