Colgate vs. Swarthmore vs. Vassar vs. Adelphi University

Should I go to Colgate University or Swarthmore College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colgate or Swarthmore is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Colgate University vs. Swarthmore College vs. Vassar College vs. Adelphi University comparison
Colgate University Swarthmore College Vassar College Adelphi University
Colgate University Swarthmore College Vassar College Adelphi University
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Overview

 Colgate Swarthmore Vassar Adelphi University
Location Hamilton, NY Swarthmore, PA Poughkeepsie, NY Garden City, NY
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,146 1,644 2,456 7,406
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #27 #41 #46 #195
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit Non-profit Non-profit
Website colgate.edu swarthmore.edu vassar.edu adelphi.edu
Team Colors                                        

Costs

 Colgate Swarthmore Vassar Adelphi University
Tuition (In State) $66,622 $61,992 $66,870 $45,450
Tuition (Out of State) $66,622 $61,992 $66,870 $45,450
Room & Board $16,790 $18,964 $17,415 $20,028
Avg Net Price $26,954 $17,930 $29,733 $28,671
Avg Grant Aid $56,696 $62,084 $53,840 $28,776
% Receiving Grant Aid 43% 53% 58% 94%

Admission

 Colgate Swarthmore Vassar Adelphi University
Applied 21,130 14,287 12,145 17,111
Admitted 2,526 992 2,153 13,263
Acceptance Rate 12% 6.9% 17.7% 109.2%
Enrolled % 31.9% 41.8% 32% 64%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.9 3.86 3.69
Typical High School Grades A- A- A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Elite Elite Difficult
Applicant Competition Very High Extreme Very High
ACT Range 33/34 33/34 33/35 24/30
SAT Range 1430/1530 1460/1560 1435/1550 1140/1310
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026 Jan 4, 2026 Jan 1, 2026

Academics

 Colgate Swarthmore Vassar Adelphi University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 8:1 8:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Social Sciences (29%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Social Sciences (25%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Health Professions (34%)
  • Social Sciences (19%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

 Colgate Swarthmore Vassar Adelphi University
Graduation Rate 92% 95% 91% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,300 $65,800 $58,400 $58,400
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 87% 92% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,125 $19,500 $15,780 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $166 $201 $163 $263

Diversity

 Colgate Swarthmore Vassar Adelphi University
% Men 0% 0% 0% 8%
% Women 0% 1% 1% 23%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High High High
HBCU No No No No
% White 67% 42% 59% 55%
% Black 4% 6% 5% 9%
% Hispanic 9% 13% 11% 15%
% Native American 0% 0% 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0% 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 8% 6% 2%
% International 9% 11% 7% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 3% 0% 6%

Students

 Colgate Swarthmore Vassar Adelphi University
% In-State 22% 10% 28% 86%
% Out-of-State 69% 75% 64% 12%

Campus

 Colgate Swarthmore Vassar Adelphi University
Campus Housing Yes Yes Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes Yes No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No No Yes
Daycare Facility No No Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Colgate University is larger than than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (3,146 students vs. 1,644 students)

Colgate vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Swarthmore?

  • Colgate University is 7.5% more expensive to attend than Swarthmore for in-state tuition ($66,622.00 vs. $61,992.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.5% higher at Colgate than Swarthmore College ($66,622.00 vs. $61,992.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Swarthmore College than Colgate ($17,930 vs. $26,954)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 12.9% lower than costs at Swarthmore College ($16,790 vs. $18,964)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Swarthmore College than Colgate University (53% vs. 43%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 9.5% larger than aid received Colgate University ($62,084 vs. $56,696)

Colgate vs. Swarthmore Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate or Swarthmore? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Swarthmore or Colgate .

  • The average SAT score at Swarthmore College (1431) is 57 points higher than at Colgate (1374)
  • Incoming Colgate students have at the same average ACT score (32) as students at Swarthmore (32)
  • Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Colgate (3.77)
  • Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (12%) than Swarthmore (6.9%)

Colgate vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colgate or Swarthmore? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Swarthmore and Colgate.

  • The graduation rate at Swarthmore is higher than Colgate University (95% vs. 92%)
  • Graduates from Colgate University earn on average $9,500 more per year than Swarthmore graduates after ten years. ($75,300 vs. $65,800)
  • Colgate University students graduate with a $3,375 lower median federal student loan debt than Swarthmore graduates. ($16,125 vs. $19,500)
  • Colgate graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans than Swarthmore graduates. ($166 vs. $201)
  • More Swarthmore 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/