SCU vs. Colgate

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

Santa Clara University
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 48%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $53,883 at SCU.
  • Graduation: SCU 85% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SCU $81,900 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Santa Clara University Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
SCU48%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
SCU1350-1490
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Colgate $25,147 less
SCU$53,883
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
SCU $9,013 less
SCU$61,293
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
SCU $9,013 less
SCU$61,293
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Colgate +7 pts
SCU85%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
SCU +$6,600
SCU$81,900
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SCU 18,970
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • SCU 9,105
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • SCU 48%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SCU 17.7%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SCU 1420
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • SCU 32
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • SCU 3.67
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • SCU A-
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • SCU Exceptional
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • SCU Low
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • SCU 1350-1490
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • SCU 31-33
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • SCU Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SCU Jan 7, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SCU $61,293
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SCU $61,293
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • SCU $19,893
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • SCU $53,883
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • SCU $28,368
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SCU 71%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • SCU 85%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SCU $81,900
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • SCU 84%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SCU $21,500
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • SCU $222
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SCU 11:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • SCU
    • Business (33%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • SCU Santa Clara, CA
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • SCU Midsize City
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • SCU 9,728
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • SCU Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SCU #61
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Clara University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 11.5% lower than at Santa Clara University ($17,610 vs. $19,893).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Colgate than at Santa Clara University (about $9,013 more per year; $70,306 vs. $61,293).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at Colgate University (71% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 105.6% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($58,334 vs. $28,368).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Colgate than at SCU (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SCU and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at SCU (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($16,125 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($166 vs. $222).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 84%).

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

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