Colgate vs. RIT

Colgate University and Rochester Institute of Technology side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colgate University
Rochester Institute of Technology

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 66.9%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1380.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $39,534 at RIT .
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs RIT 64%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs RIT $64,900 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Rochester Institute of Technology
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
RIT 66.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
RIT 1300-1460
Average net price
Colgate $10,798 less
Colgate$28,736
RIT $39,534
In-state tuition
RIT $11,032 less
Colgate$70,306
RIT $59,274
Out-of-state tuition
RIT $11,032 less
Colgate$70,306
RIT $59,274
Graduation rate
Colgate +28 pts
Colgate92%
RIT 64%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$10,400
Colgate$75,300
RIT $64,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • RIT 27,911
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • RIT 18,682
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • RIT 66.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • RIT 16.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • RIT 1380
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • RIT 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • RIT 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • RIT A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • RIT Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • RIT Low
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • RIT 1300-1460
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • RIT 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • RIT Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • RIT Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • RIT $59,274
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • RIT $59,274
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • RIT $16,142
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • RIT $39,534
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • RIT $35,077
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • RIT 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • RIT 64%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • RIT $64,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • RIT 75%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • RIT $28,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • RIT $289
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • RIT 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • RIT
    • Visual and Performing Arts (16%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (14%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Engineering Technology (11%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • RIT Rochester, NY
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • RIT Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • RIT 17,098
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • RIT Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • RIT #175

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 8.3% lower than at Colgate University ($16,142 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at Colgate than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $11,032 more per year; $70,306 vs. $59,274).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Colgate University (98% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 66.3% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($58,334 vs. $35,077).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Colgate than at RIT (33 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and RIT .
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at RIT (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 16.3% at RIT .

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $11,875 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($16,125 vs. $28,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $123 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($166 vs. $289).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 75%).

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

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