Colgate vs. Columbia

Colgate University and Columbia University in the City of New York side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colgate University
Columbia University in the City of New York

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Columbia (4% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia. Average net price is $22,520 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Columbia 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Columbia $107,600 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Colgate University Columbia University in the City of New York
Acceptance rate
Columbia more selective
Colgate13.9%
Columbia4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia higher
Colgate1430-1540
Columbia1510-1580
Average net price
Columbia $6,216 less
Colgate$28,736
Columbia$22,520
In-state tuition
Colgate $1,539 less
Colgate$70,306
Columbia$71,845
Out-of-state tuition
Colgate $1,539 less
Colgate$70,306
Columbia$71,845
Graduation rate
Columbia +1 pts
Colgate92%
Columbia93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbia +$32,300
Colgate$75,300
Columbia$107,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Colgate and Columbia with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Colgate Check my chances at Columbia
  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Columbia 60,115
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Columbia 2,400
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Columbia 4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Columbia 64.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Columbia 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Columbia 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Columbia 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Columbia A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Columbia Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Columbia Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Columbia 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Columbia 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Columbia Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Columbia Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Columbia $17,580
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Columbia $22,520
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Columbia $67,010
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Columbia 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Columbia 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Columbia $107,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Columbia 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Columbia $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Columbia $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Columbia 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Columbia
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • History (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Columbia New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Columbia Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Columbia 35,173
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Columbia Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Columbia #22

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 0.2% lower than at Colgate University ($17,580 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Columbia than at Colgate University (about $1,539 more per year; $71,845 vs. $70,306).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Colgate University (52% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 14.9% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($67,010 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Columbia than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Columbia.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($16,125 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($166 vs. $222).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 76%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Colgate University
Columbia University in the City of New York
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges