Overview
Colgate University is a highly selective private four-year institution in Hamilton, New York. The school accepts 12.4% of applicants and enrolls 3,122 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 12.4%
- Average SAT
- 1,470
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,410–1,530
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 33
- Total Enrollment
- 3,122
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Colgate's admissions team pays close attention to your intellectual engagement outside the classroom, particularly through sustained involvement in activities that connect to your academic interests. Your supplement essay should reference specific aspects of Colgate's tight-knit community on the hill, such as the January term where students pursue intensive single courses, study abroad programs that send nearly 60% of students overseas, or the university's commitment to need-blind admissions and meeting full demonstrated need.
Unlike peer liberal arts colleges, Colgate operates as a university with strong research opportunities for undergraduates. Mention specific faculty research projects or the university's emphasis on undergraduate-faculty collaboration in your essays. The Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute and the Robert H. N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative offer distinctive research pathways that set Colgate apart from similar schools.
Don't assume Colgate is just another preppy New England college. The university sits in rural central New York and has worked actively to diversify its student body and programming. Reference the Colgate Memorial Chapel's interfaith programming or the Longyear Museum of Anthropology when discussing campus culture. The Colgate Raiders compete in Division I athletics, and school spirit around hockey and football runs deep.
Your "Why Colgate" supplement should avoid generic statements about small class sizes or beautiful campus. Instead, discuss specific academic programs like the Peace and Conflict Studies concentration, the unique Philosophy, Politics, and Economics major, or Colgate's distinctive January term abroad programs in places like Australia and Barbados.
Apply Early Decision if Colgate is your top choice. The school fills a significant portion of its class through ED, and demonstrated interest matters here. Visit campus if possible, as the isolated Hamilton location means students need to genuinely want the small-town college experience. Don't write about wanting to be close to major cities - embrace the rural setting and explain how you'll contribute to the close campus community.
Colgate reviews applications completeally, but your essays need to show you understand what makes this university distinct from other highly selective liberal arts institutions.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $29,107/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $67,024
- Students Receiving Aid
- 13%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 90.5%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $85,139/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 92.9%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Colgate University require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
Colgate University is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores with your application.
What are the application deadlines for Colgate University?
Colgate offers Early Decision I (November 15), Early Decision II (January 15), and Regular Decision (January 15) application deadlines.
Can you transfer to Colgate University as a sophomore or junior?
Yes, Colgate accepts transfer students for fall and spring admission. Transfer applicants must have completed at least one semester of college coursework.
What makes Colgate University different from other liberal arts colleges?
Colgate requires all students to complete a core curriculum and offers a unique January term where students can study abroad, intern, or take intensive courses on campus.