Colgate vs. Carnegie Mellon

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

Colgate University
Carnegie Mellon University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carnegie Mellon (11.7% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $35,552 at Carnegie Mellon.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Carnegie Mellon 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Carnegie Mellon $102,700 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Carnegie Mellon University
Acceptance rate
Carnegie Mellon more selective
Colgate13.9%
Carnegie Mellon11.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carnegie Mellon higher
Colgate1430-1540
Carnegie Mellon1500-1570
Average net price
Colgate $6,816 less
Colgate$28,736
Carnegie Mellon$35,552
In-state tuition
Carnegie Mellon $4,060 less
Colgate$70,306
Carnegie Mellon$66,246
Out-of-state tuition
Carnegie Mellon $4,060 less
Colgate$70,306
Carnegie Mellon$66,246
Graduation rate
Colgate +5 pts
Colgate92%
Carnegie Mellon87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carnegie Mellon +$27,400
Colgate$75,300
Carnegie Mellon$102,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Carnegie Mellon 33,941
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Carnegie Mellon 3,959
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Carnegie Mellon 11.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Carnegie Mellon 45.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Carnegie Mellon 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Carnegie Mellon 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Carnegie Mellon 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Carnegie Mellon A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Carnegie Mellon Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Carnegie Mellon Very High
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Carnegie Mellon 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Carnegie Mellon 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Carnegie Mellon Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Carnegie Mellon $66,246
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Carnegie Mellon $66,246
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Carnegie Mellon $18,166
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Carnegie Mellon $35,552
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Carnegie Mellon $48,107
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Carnegie Mellon 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Carnegie Mellon 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Carnegie Mellon $102,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Carnegie Mellon 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Carnegie Mellon $26,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Carnegie Mellon $271
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Carnegie Mellon 5:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Carnegie Mellon
    • Engineering (26%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Business (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh, PA
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Carnegie Mellon Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Carnegie Mellon 15,888
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Carnegie Mellon Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Carnegie Mellon #45

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 3.1% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($17,610 vs. $18,166).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Colgate than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $4,060 more per year; $70,306 vs. $66,246).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at Colgate University (51% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($58,334 vs. $48,107).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Carnegie Mellon.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carnegie Mellon average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $10,125 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($16,125 vs. $26,250).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($166 vs. $271).
  • More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (91% 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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