Colgate vs. UB

Colgate University and University at Buffalo side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colgate University
University at Buffalo

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 74.2%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: UB. Average net price is $20,529 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs UB 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs UB $58,400 (median).
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Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
UB74.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
UB1210-1380
Average net price
UB $8,207 less
Colgate$28,736
UB$20,529
In-state tuition
UB $59,370 less
Colgate$70,306
UB$10,936
Out-of-state tuition
UB $38,770 less
Colgate$70,306
UB$31,536
Graduation rate
Colgate +21 pts
Colgate92%
UB71%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$16,900
Colgate$75,300
UB$58,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • UB 40,856
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • UB 30,308
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • UB 74.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • UB 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • UB 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • UB 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • UB 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • UB A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • UB Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • UB Low
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • UB 1210-1380
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • UB 27-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • UB Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • UB
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • UB $10,936
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • UB $31,536
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • UB $17,426
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • UB $20,529
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • UB $10,663
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • UB 76%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • UB 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • UB $58,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • UB 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • UB $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • UB $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • UB 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • UB
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • UB Buffalo, NY
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • UB Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • UB 31,903
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • UB Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • UB #101

Comparable Facts

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

University at Buffalo is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (31,903 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); University at Buffalo is in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; University at Buffalo 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Buffalo are 1% lower than at Colgate University ($17,426 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 122.9% higher at Colgate than at University at Buffalo (about $38,770 more per year; $70,306 vs. $31,536).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Buffalo than at Colgate University (76% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 447.1% larger than aid received by University at Buffalo students ($58,334 vs. $10,663).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Colgate than at UB (33 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and UB.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at UB (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 14.1% at UB.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $3,375 lower median loan debt than UB graduates ($16,125 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UB graduates ($166 vs. $201).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 70%).

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

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