Colgate vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mary Washington is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (3,826 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Colgate vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or Mary Washington College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Mary Washington than Colgate ($21,800 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 19.1% lower than at Colgate University ($14,250 vs. $17,610).
• Colgate University is 380.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $55,666 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.1% higher at Colgate than at University of Mary Washington (about $42,746 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Colgate University (99% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 456% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($58,334 vs. $10,491).

Colgate vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate or Mary Washington College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mary Washington College and Colgate.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 220 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Colgate students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Colgate vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate and Mary Washington College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Colgate University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $19,800 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than Mary Washington College graduates ($16,125 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($166 vs. $222).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.