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How to Get Into Colgate University

Hamilton, NY · Private nonprofit · 2025-2026 cycle · Verified data

Colgate University Admissions Statistics

13.9%
Acceptance Rate
710-760
SAT Reading (mid 50%)
720-780
SAT Math (mid 50%)
33-34
ACT (mid 50%)
3,180
Undergrads
91%
Graduation Rate

How to Actually Get Into Colgate University

Understand what 13.9% really means

Below roughly a 15% admit rate, admissions stops being something you earn cleanly and becomes probabilistic. Nearly everyone who applies to Colgate University has strong stats, so strong stats get you into contention, not into the class. Treat Colgate University as a reach no matter your profile, and build real targets and a real safety underneath it. If your list is all schools like this one, your expected outcome is mostly rejections, regardless of how strong you are.

Position your scores against the real bands

The middle 50% of enrolled students sits around 1430-1540 combined SAT or 33-34 ACT. Above the 75th percentile, scores work for you, though at this tier they only buy you a ticket. Below the 25th percentile, the rest of your application has to carry the file, treat it as a reach. Since scores are not required (test-optional) here, submit only if you're inside or above the band; a below-band score is information you don't have to volunteer.

Use the Early Decision round deliberately

Colgate University offers Early Decision, which is binding. The early bump is real but overstated (hooked applicants cluster early and inflate it). Spend ED once, on the school where it actually moves you a tier, and only if the money works without comparing aid offers. If that school is Colgate University, the deadline table below is your calendar.

The bigger picture: no single school decides your outcome, the shape of your whole list does. Read how top counselors build a college list before you finalize where Colgate University fits.

Colgate University Application Deadlines (2025-2026)

Round Deadline
Early Decision (ED) November 1, 2025
Early Decision II (ED II) January 15, 2026
Regular Decision (RD) January 15, 2026

Deadlines verified from official sources for the 2025-2026 cycle. Rounds change year to year, always confirm on the school's site before submitting.

Application Requirements & Costs

Application platform Common App
Application fee $60
Test scores Not required (test-optional)
Writing supplement Not required
Counselor recommendation Required
Teacher evaluations 2

Colgate University Cost & Financial Aid

Total cost of attendance (sticker, per year) $87,070
Tuition & fees $70,306
Room & board (on campus) $17,610
Average net price (aid-receiving families) $28,786

What You'd Actually Pay, by Family Income

Average net price per year (after grants and scholarships) for aid-receiving families, from federal College Scorecard data:

Family income Average net price / year
$0-30k $6,086
$30-48k $2,678
$48-75k $13,617
$75-110k $21,831
$110k+ $48,234
12.5%
Students receiving Pell Grants
12.3%
Students taking federal loans
93%
Freshman retention rate
9:1
Student-faculty ratio

These are averages, not your number. Get your family's actual price in about 10 minutes:

Use Colgate University's Official Net Price Calculator →

More Colgate University Data, Coming Soon

We're building the deepest per-school database in admissions. Rolling out for Colgate University:

Programs & Majors Soon Every degree program at Colgate University, with outcomes
Transfer Pathways Soon How to transfer into Colgate University, and where transfers come from
Institutional Aid Soon Colgate University's own grants and how they're awarded
Private Scholarships Soon Outside scholarships Colgate University students actually win

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