Colgate vs. Brown

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

Colgate University
Brown University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Brown (5.4% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Brown. Average net price is $26,256 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Brown 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Brown $87,600 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Brown University
Acceptance rate
Brown more selective
Colgate13.9%
Brown5.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brown higher
Colgate1430-1540
Brown1510-1580
Average net price
Brown $2,480 less
Colgate$28,736
Brown$26,256
In-state tuition
Colgate $1,106 less
Colgate$70,306
Brown$71,412
Out-of-state tuition
Colgate $1,106 less
Colgate$70,306
Brown$71,412
Graduation rate
Brown +3 pts
Colgate92%
Brown95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brown +$12,300
Colgate$75,300
Brown$87,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Brown 48,904
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Brown 2,638
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Brown 5.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Brown 65.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Brown 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Brown 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Brown 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Brown A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Brown Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Brown Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Brown 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Brown 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Brown Required
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Brown Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Brown $71,412
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Brown $71,412
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Brown $17,444
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Brown $26,256
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Brown $61,392
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Brown 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Brown 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Brown $87,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Brown 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Brown $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Brown $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Brown 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Brown
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Brown Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Brown Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Brown 11,956
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Brown Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Brown #11

Comparable Facts

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

Brown University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Brown University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 0.9% lower than at Colgate University ($17,444 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Brown than at Colgate University (about $1,106 more per year; $71,412 vs. $70,306).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brown University than at Colgate University (52% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brown University students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($61,392 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Brown than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Colgate, required at Brown.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Brown average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $1,125 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,125).
  • Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($155 vs. $166).
  • More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 86%).

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

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