Colgate vs. Cornell

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

Colgate University
Cornell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cornell (8.8% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cornell. Average net price is $26,361 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Cornell 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Cornell $98,400 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Cornell University
Acceptance rate
Cornell more selective
Colgate13.9%
Cornell8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cornell higher
Colgate1430-1540
Cornell1500-1570
Average net price
Cornell $2,375 less
Colgate$28,736
Cornell$26,361
In-state tuition
Cornell $992 less
Colgate$70,306
Cornell$69,314
Out-of-state tuition
Cornell $992 less
Colgate$70,306
Cornell$69,314
Graduation rate
Cornell +1 pts
Colgate92%
Cornell93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell +$23,100
Colgate$75,300
Cornell$98,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Cornell 62,993
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Cornell 5,516
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Cornell 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Cornell 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Cornell 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Cornell A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Cornell Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Cornell Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Cornell 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Cornell 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Cornell Required
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Cornell $19,428
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Cornell $26,361
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Cornell $61,779
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Cornell 48%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Cornell 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Cornell $98,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Cornell 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Cornell $12,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Cornell $124
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Cornell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Cornell Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Cornell 26,793
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Cornell #19

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 9.4% lower than at Cornell University ($17,610 vs. $19,428).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Colgate than at Cornell University (about $992 more per year; $70,306 vs. $69,314).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell University than at Colgate University (48% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($61,779 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Cornell than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Colgate, required at Cornell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cornell average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $4,125 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($12,000 vs. $16,125).
  • Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($124 vs. $166).
  • More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (87% 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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