Colgate vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Duke University 5:1.

Colgate vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Duke? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Duke University than Colgate ($21,981 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 2.9% lower than at Duke University ($17,610 vs. $18,128).
• Colgate University is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Duke (about $1,548 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Colgate than at Duke University (about $1,548 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Colgate University as at Duke University (43% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 12.3% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($65,522 vs. $58,334).

Colgate vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate or Duke? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Duke and Colgate.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 50 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Duke students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colgate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (13.9%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Colgate vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and Duke? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Colgate University's (92%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $33,600 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $8,625 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($7,500 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($77 vs. $166).
• More Duke 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.