Rutgers vs. Colgate

Rutgers University New Brunswick and Colgate University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Rutgers University New Brunswick
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 58.1%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1410.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rutgers. Average net price is $20,522 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Rutgers 77% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Rutgers $66,200 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Rutgers University New Brunswick Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Rutgers58.1%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Rutgers1310-1500
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Rutgers $8,214 less
Rutgers$20,522
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Rutgers $52,377 less
Rutgers$17,929
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Rutgers $32,865 less
Rutgers$37,441
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Colgate +15 pts
Rutgers77%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$9,100
Rutgers$66,200
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Rutgers 68,614
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Rutgers 39,899
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Rutgers 58.1%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Rutgers 20.5%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rutgers 1410
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rutgers 30
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Rutgers 3.3
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Rutgers B+
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Rutgers Exceptional
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Rutgers Low
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Rutgers 1310-1500
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Rutgers 28-33
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Rutgers Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Rutgers
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Rutgers $17,929
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Rutgers $37,441
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Rutgers $15,714
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Rutgers $20,522
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Rutgers $16,742
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Rutgers 50%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Rutgers 77%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Rutgers $66,200
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Rutgers 68%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Rutgers $22,215
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Rutgers $229
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Rutgers 16:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Rutgers
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Rutgers New Brunswick, NJ
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Rutgers Small City
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Rutgers 52,269
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Rutgers Public 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Rutgers #114
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rutgers University New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 10.8% lower than at Colgate University ($15,714 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 87.8% higher at Colgate than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (about $32,865 more per year; $70,306 vs. $37,441).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rutgers University New Brunswick than at Colgate University (50% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 248.4% larger than aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students ($58,334 vs. $16,742).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Colgate than at Rutgers (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Rutgers and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.47 higher than at Rutgers (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Rutgers vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $6,090 lower median loan debt than Rutgers graduates ($16,125 vs. $22,215).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rutgers graduates ($166 vs. $229).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 68%).

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

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