Princeton vs. Colgate

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

Princeton University
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Princeton (4.6% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Princeton. Average net price is $15,313 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Princeton 96% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Princeton $113,900 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Princeton University Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Princeton more selective
Princeton4.6%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Princeton higher
Princeton1510-1580
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Princeton $13,423 less
Princeton$15,313
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Princeton $7,618 less
Princeton$62,688
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Princeton $7,618 less
Princeton$62,688
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Princeton +4 pts
Princeton96%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Princeton +$38,600
Princeton$113,900
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Princeton 40,468
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Princeton 1,868
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Princeton 4.6%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Princeton 75.5%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Princeton 1550
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Princeton 34
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Princeton 3.93
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Princeton A
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Princeton Elite
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Princeton Extreme
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Princeton 1510-1580
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Princeton 34-35
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Princeton Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Princeton Jan 1, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Princeton $20,250
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Princeton $15,313
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Princeton $68,727
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Princeton 67%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Princeton 96%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Princeton $113,900
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Princeton 83%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Princeton $7,500
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Princeton $77
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Princeton 5:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Princeton
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • History (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Princeton Princeton, NJ
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Princeton Large Suburban
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Princeton 9,137
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Princeton Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Princeton #1
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 13% lower than at Princeton University ($17,610 vs. $20,250).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Colgate than at Princeton University (about $7,618 more per year; $70,306 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Colgate University (67% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 17.8% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($68,727 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Princeton than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Princeton and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Princeton average a 3.93 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $8,625 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($7,500 vs. $16,125).
  • Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($77 vs. $166).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton 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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