Colgate vs. Union College

Colgate University and Union College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colgate University
Union College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 43.9%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $42,137 at Union College.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Union College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Union College $74,200 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Union College
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
Union College43.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
Union College1310-1480
Average net price
Colgate $13,401 less
Colgate$28,736
Union College$42,137
In-state tuition
Union College $1,267 less
Colgate$70,306
Union College$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
Union College $1,267 less
Colgate$70,306
Union College$69,039
Graduation rate
Colgate +6 pts
Colgate92%
Union College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$1,100
Colgate$75,300
Union College$74,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Union College 8,210
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Union College 3,606
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Union College 43.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Union College 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Union College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Union College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Union College 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Union College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Union College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Union College Low
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Union College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Union College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Union College $69,039
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Union College $69,039
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Union College $17,010
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Union College $42,137
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Union College $42,534
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Union College 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Union College $74,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Union College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Union College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Union College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Union College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Union College 2,065
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Union College #84

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Colgate University is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,065 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 3.4% lower than at Colgate University ($17,010 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Colgate than at Union College (about $1,267 more per year; $70,306 vs. $69,039).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Colgate University (96% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 37.1% larger than aid received by Union College students ($58,334 vs. $42,534).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Colgate than at Union College (33 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Union College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Union College (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $10,875 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($16,125 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($166 vs. $279).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation (86% 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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