Amherst vs. Colgate

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

Amherst College
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Amherst $9,687 less
Amherst$19,049
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Colgate $174 less
Amherst$70,480
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Colgate $174 less
Amherst$70,480
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Amherst +4 pts
Amherst96%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$6,700
Amherst$82,000
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Colgate University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 4.2% lower than at Amherst College ($17,610 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Amherst than at Colgate University (about $174 more per year; $70,480 vs. $70,306).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Colgate University (59% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 17.6% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($68,591 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Amherst than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $3,150 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($12,975 vs. $16,125).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($134 vs. $166).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 83%).

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

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