Colgate vs. Vassar

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

Colgate University
Vassar College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 18.6%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1500.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $28,736 at Colgate vs $29,981 at Vassar. Vassar in-state tuition is about $724 more per year.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Vassar 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Vassar $58,400 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Vassar College
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
Vassar18.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vassar higher
Colgate1430-1540
Vassar1450-1550
Average net price
About even
Colgate$28,736
Vassar$29,981
In-state tuition
Colgate $724 less
Colgate$70,306
Vassar$71,030
Out-of-state tuition
Colgate $724 less
Colgate$70,306
Vassar$71,030
Graduation rate
Colgate +1 pts
Colgate92%
Vassar91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$16,900
Colgate$75,300
Vassar$58,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Vassar 12,447
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Vassar 2,311
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Vassar 18.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Vassar 28.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Vassar 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Vassar 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Vassar 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Vassar A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Vassar Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Vassar Very High
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Vassar 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Vassar 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Vassar Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Vassar Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Vassar $18,240
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Vassar $29,981
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Vassar $57,443
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Vassar 55%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Vassar 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Vassar $58,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Vassar 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Vassar $15,780
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Vassar $163
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Vassar 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Vassar
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Vassar Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Vassar Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Vassar 2,462
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Vassar Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Vassar #46

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,462 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 3.5% lower than at Vassar College ($17,610 vs. $18,240).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Vassar than at Colgate University (about $724 more per year; $71,030 vs. $70,306).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Colgate University (55% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($58,334 vs. $57,443).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Vassar than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Vassar.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Vassar average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $345 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($15,780 vs. $16,125).
  • Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($163 vs. $166).
  • More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (92% 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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