Colgate vs. Wake Forest
Colgate University and Wake Forest University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
Colgate University
Wake Forest University
At a glance
- Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 21.7%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1470.
- Cheaper after aid: Wake Forest. Average net price is $24,401 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
- Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Wake Forest 88%.
- Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Wake Forest $77,200 (median).
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
Wake Forest21.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
Wake Forest1410-1520
Average net price
Wake Forest $4,335 less
Colgate$28,736
Wake Forest$24,401
In-state tuition
Wake Forest $2,664 less
Colgate$70,306
Wake Forest$67,642
Out-of-state tuition
Wake Forest $2,664 less
Colgate$70,306
Wake Forest$67,642
Graduation rate
Colgate +4 pts
Colgate92%
Wake Forest88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wake Forest +$1,900
Colgate$75,300
Wake Forest$77,200
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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Colgate My Chances
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Wake Forest My Chances
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- Applied
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Colgate 20,682
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Wake Forest 18,727
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- Admitted
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Colgate 2,871
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Wake Forest 4,058
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- Acceptance rate
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Colgate 13.9%
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Wake Forest 21.7%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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Colgate 28.7%
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Wake Forest 36.1%
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- Typical SAT score
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Colgate 1490
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Wake Forest 1470
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- Typical ACT score
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Colgate 33
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Wake Forest 33
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- Average high school GPA
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Colgate 3.77
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Wake Forest -
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- Typical high school grades
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Colgate A-
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Wake Forest -
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- Admissions standards
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Colgate Exceptional
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Wake Forest Exceptional
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- Applicant competition
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Colgate Very High
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Wake Forest Very High
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- SAT range
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Colgate 1430-1540
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Wake Forest 1410-1520
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- ACT range
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Colgate 33-34
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Wake Forest 32-34
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- Submit test scores
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Colgate Test optional
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Wake Forest Test optional
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- Application deadline
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Colgate Jan 15, 2027
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Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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Colgate $70,306
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Wake Forest $67,642
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- Tuition (out of state)
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Colgate $70,306
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Wake Forest $67,642
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- Room & board
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Colgate $17,610
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Wake Forest $18,494
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- Average net price
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Colgate $28,736
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Wake Forest $24,401
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- Average grant aid
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Colgate $58,334
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Wake Forest $63,117
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- % receiving grant aid
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Colgate 43%
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Wake Forest 35%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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Colgate 92%
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Wake Forest 88%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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Colgate $75,300
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Wake Forest $77,200
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- Making student loan payments
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Colgate 86%
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Wake Forest 88%
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- Median student loan debt
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Colgate $16,125
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Wake Forest $23,000
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- Median loan payment
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Colgate $166
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Wake Forest $237
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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Colgate 9:1
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Wake Forest 10:1
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- Popular majors
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Colgate
- Social Sciences (33%)
- English and Literature (11%)
- Biology (10%)
- Foreign Languages (7%)
- Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
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Wake Forest
- Business (21%)
- Social Sciences (20%)
- Communication (8%)
- Biology (7%)
- Psychology (7%)
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School basics
- School
- Colgate Colgate University
- Wake Forest Wake Forest University
- Location
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Colgate Hamilton, NY
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Wake Forest Winston-Salem, NC
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- Setting
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Colgate Distant Town
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Wake Forest Midsize City
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- Total enrollment
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Colgate 3,211
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Wake Forest 9,322
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- Type
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Colgate Private 4 Year
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Wake Forest Private 4 Year
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- National ranking
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Colgate #30
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Wake Forest #49
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Comparable Facts
Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
Wake Forest University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 3,211 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
- Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 4.8% lower than at Wake Forest University ($17,610 vs. $18,494).
- Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Colgate than at Wake Forest University (about $2,664 more per year; $70,306 vs. $67,642).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colgate University than at Wake Forest University (43% vs. 35%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 8.2% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($63,117 vs. $58,334).
Admissions details
- Incoming Colgate students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Wake Forest (33).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Wake Forest.
- Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $6,875 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($16,125 vs. $23,000).
- Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($166 vs. $237).
- More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (88% 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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