Northeastern vs. Colgate

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

Northeastern University
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern (5.2% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $34,207 at Northeastern.
  • Graduation: Northeastern 77% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northeastern $69,500 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Northeastern University Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Northeastern more selective
Northeastern5.2%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northeastern higher
Northeastern1440-1540
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Colgate $5,471 less
Northeastern$34,207
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Northeastern $4,144 less
Northeastern$66,162
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Northeastern $4,144 less
Northeastern$66,162
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Colgate +15 pts
Northeastern77%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$5,800
Northeastern$69,500
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northeastern 98,425
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Northeastern 5,133
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northeastern 5.2%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northeastern 53.8%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northeastern 1490
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northeastern 34
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northeastern 3.91
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northeastern A
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northeastern Elite
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Northeastern Extreme
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Northeastern 1440-1540
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Northeastern 33-35
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Northeastern Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northeastern Jan 1, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Northeastern $19,580
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Northeastern $34,207
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Northeastern $50,421
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northeastern 66%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northeastern 77%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northeastern $69,500
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northeastern 79%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northeastern $27,875
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Northeastern $288
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northeastern 16:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northeastern
    • Business (25%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Northeastern Boston, MA
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Northeastern Large City
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northeastern 32,553
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Northeastern Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northeastern #128
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northeastern University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 10.1% lower than at Northeastern University ($17,610 vs. $19,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Colgate than at Northeastern University (about $4,144 more per year; $70,306 vs. $66,162).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Colgate University (66% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 15.7% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($58,334 vs. $50,421).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Northeastern than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northeastern and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northeastern average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $11,750 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($16,125 vs. $27,875).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($166 vs. $288).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 79%).

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

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