Colgate vs. RPI

Colgate University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colgate University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 63.5%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $38,887 at RPI.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs RPI 84%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs RPI $82,500 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
RPI63.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
RPI1375-1510
Average net price
Colgate $10,151 less
Colgate$28,736
RPI$38,887
In-state tuition
RPI $6,225 less
Colgate$70,306
RPI$64,081
Out-of-state tuition
RPI $6,225 less
Colgate$70,306
RPI$64,081
Graduation rate
Colgate +8 pts
Colgate92%
RPI84%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$7,200
Colgate$75,300
RPI$82,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • RPI 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • RPI A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • RPI Low
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • RPI 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • RPI $43,517
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • RPI 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • RPI $284
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • RPI #130

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 2.8% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,610 vs. $18,120).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Colgate than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $6,225 more per year; $70,306 vs. $64,081).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Colgate University (95% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 34% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($58,334 vs. $43,517).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Colgate than at RPI (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and RPI.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RPI average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $11,375 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($16,125 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($166 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (92% 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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