Colgate vs. Washington and Lee

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

Colgate University
Washington and Lee University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 14%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Washington and Lee. Average net price is $23,055 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Washington and Lee 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Washington and Lee $89,000 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Washington and Lee University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
Washington and Lee14%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
Washington and Lee1430-1540
Average net price
Washington and Lee $5,681 less
Colgate$28,736
Washington and Lee$23,055
In-state tuition
Washington and Lee $2,261 less
Colgate$70,306
Washington and Lee$68,045
Out-of-state tuition
Washington and Lee $2,261 less
Colgate$70,306
Washington and Lee$68,045
Graduation rate
Colgate +1 pts
Colgate92%
Washington and Lee91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Washington and Lee +$13,700
Colgate$75,300
Washington and Lee$89,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Washington and Lee 8,213
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Washington and Lee 1,147
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Washington and Lee 14%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Washington and Lee 41.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Washington and Lee 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Washington and Lee 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Washington and Lee 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Washington and Lee A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Washington and Lee Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Washington and Lee Very High
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Washington and Lee 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Washington and Lee 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Washington and Lee Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Washington and Lee $68,045
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Washington and Lee $18,685
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Washington and Lee $23,055
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Washington and Lee $63,945
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Washington and Lee 64%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Washington and Lee 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Washington and Lee $89,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Washington and Lee 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Washington and Lee $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Washington and Lee $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Washington and Lee 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Washington and Lee
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Washington and Lee Lexington, VA
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Washington and Lee Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Washington and Lee 2,241
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Washington and Lee Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Washington and Lee #31

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Colgate University is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,241 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 5.8% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($17,610 vs. $18,685).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Colgate than at Washington and Lee University (about $2,261 more per year; $70,306 vs. $68,045).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Colgate University (64% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 9.6% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($63,945 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Colgate students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Washington and Lee (33).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Washington and Lee.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Washington and Lee average a 3.87 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($16,125 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($166 vs. $222).
  • More Washington and Lee 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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