BU vs. Colgate

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

Boston University
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Boston University Colgate University
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
BU11.1%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
BU1420-1530
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
BU $4,316 less
BU$24,420
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
BU $2,204 less
BU$68,102
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
BU $2,204 less
BU$68,102
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Colgate +7 pts
BU85%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$3,300
BU$72,000
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 7.4% lower than at Boston University ($17,610 vs. $19,020).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Colgate than at Boston University (about $2,204 more per year; $70,306 vs. $68,102).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Boston University than at Colgate University (49% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 6% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($61,848 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Incoming BU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Colgate (33).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BU and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $10,875 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($16,125 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($166 vs. $279).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 82%).

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

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