Colgate vs. Vanderbilt

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

Colgate University
Vanderbilt University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vanderbilt (5.9% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Vanderbilt. Average net price is $25,186 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Vanderbilt 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Vanderbilt $83,100 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Vanderbilt University
Acceptance rate
Vanderbilt more selective
Colgate13.9%
Vanderbilt5.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vanderbilt higher
Colgate1430-1540
Vanderbilt1500-1570
Average net price
Vanderbilt $3,550 less
Colgate$28,736
Vanderbilt$25,186
In-state tuition
Vanderbilt $2,808 less
Colgate$70,306
Vanderbilt$67,498
Out-of-state tuition
Vanderbilt $2,808 less
Colgate$70,306
Vanderbilt$67,498
Graduation rate
Colgate +0 pts
Colgate92%
Vanderbilt92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Vanderbilt +$7,800
Colgate$75,300
Vanderbilt$83,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Vanderbilt 45,409
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Vanderbilt 2,662
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Vanderbilt 5.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Vanderbilt 61.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Vanderbilt 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Vanderbilt 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Vanderbilt 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Vanderbilt A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Vanderbilt Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Vanderbilt Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Vanderbilt 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Vanderbilt 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Vanderbilt Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Vanderbilt $22,054
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Vanderbilt $25,186
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Vanderbilt $64,404
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Vanderbilt 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Vanderbilt 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Vanderbilt $83,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Vanderbilt 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Vanderbilt $14,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Vanderbilt $144
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Vanderbilt 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Vanderbilt
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Vanderbilt Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Vanderbilt Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Vanderbilt 13,575
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Vanderbilt Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Vanderbilt #16

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 20.2% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($17,610 vs. $22,054).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Colgate than at Vanderbilt University (about $2,808 more per year; $70,306 vs. $67,498).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Colgate University (67% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 10.4% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($64,404 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Vanderbilt than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Vanderbilt.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Vanderbilt average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $2,125 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($14,000 vs. $16,125).
  • Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($144 vs. $166).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 83%).

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

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