Colgate vs. SUNY Cortland

Colgate University and State University of New York at Cortland side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colgate University
State University of New York at Cortland

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 59.8%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: SUNY Cortland. Average net price is $19,847 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs SUNY Cortland 67%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs SUNY Cortland $47,300 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University State University of New York at Cortland
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
SUNY Cortland59.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
SUNY Cortland1090-1240
Average net price
SUNY Cortland $8,889 less
Colgate$28,736
SUNY Cortland$19,847
In-state tuition
SUNY Cortland $61,432 less
Colgate$70,306
SUNY Cortland$8,874
Out-of-state tuition
SUNY Cortland $51,522 less
Colgate$70,306
SUNY Cortland$18,784
Graduation rate
Colgate +25 pts
Colgate92%
SUNY Cortland67%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$28,000
Colgate$75,300
SUNY Cortland$47,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • SUNY Cortland 17,571
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • SUNY Cortland 10,505
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • SUNY Cortland 59.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • SUNY Cortland 13.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • SUNY Cortland 1170
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • SUNY Cortland 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • SUNY Cortland 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • SUNY Cortland A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • SUNY Cortland Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • SUNY Cortland Low
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • SUNY Cortland 1090-1240
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • SUNY Cortland 22-27
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • SUNY Cortland Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • SUNY Cortland
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • SUNY Cortland $8,874
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • SUNY Cortland $18,784
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • SUNY Cortland $15,560
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • SUNY Cortland $19,847
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • SUNY Cortland $8,254
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • SUNY Cortland 63%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • SUNY Cortland 67%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • SUNY Cortland $47,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • SUNY Cortland 75%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • SUNY Cortland $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • SUNY Cortland $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • SUNY Cortland 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • SUNY Cortland
    • Education (41%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (16%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • SUNY Cortland Cortland, NY
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • SUNY Cortland Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • SUNY Cortland 6,938
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • SUNY Cortland Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • SUNY Cortland #422

Comparable Facts

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

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 11.6% lower than at Colgate University ($15,560 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 274.3% higher at Colgate than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $51,522 more per year; $70,306 vs. $18,784).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at State University of New York at Cortland than at Colgate University (63% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 606.7% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($58,334 vs. $8,254).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 9 points higher at Colgate than at SUNY Cortland (33 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Colgate, test-free at SUNY Cortland.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than SUNY Cortland graduates ($16,125 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Cortland graduates ($166 vs. $222).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland 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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