Applying to Colgate University: What You Should Know 

Colgate University, located in the picturesque village of Hamilton, New York, offers a classic liberal arts education shaped by a strong sense of community, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth. With undergraduates representing all 50 states and more than 160 countries, the university fosters an environment where diverse ideas and experiences are central to the learning process.

Class of 2028 Profile

• Applications Received: 20,915
• Students Admitted: 2,843 (14%)
• Students Enrolled: 829

Academic Stats (Middle 50%)

• SAT: 1480–1540
• ACT: 33–35
• Average GPA: 3.94 (unweighted)
• Class Rank:
  • 79% in the top 10%
  • 96% in the top 20%

Colgate maintains a balance between public and private school students, with 53% from public schools and 47% from private institutions.

Diversity 

Colgate continues to expand access for underrepresented and international students:

• Multicultural students:
  • Applications: 6,180
  • Enrolled: 212 (26% of the class)
    
• International students:
  • Applications: 9,487
  • Enrolled: 67 (8% of the class)
    
• Legacy students:
  • Enrolled: 57

Colgate also meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, with 42% of students receiving financial aid.

Academic Offerings

Colgate offers 57 majors and a wide range of minors, all rooted in the liberal arts tradition. Students are encouraged to explore topics across disciplines and build connections between different fields of study. Whether students are interested in economics, neuroscience, environmental studies, or art, they benefit from faculty who are deeply engaged in teaching and research.

Popular academic areas include:

• Economics
• International Relations
• Computer Science
• Psychological Science
• Environmental Studies
• Biochemistry
• Creative Writing

All students participate in Colgate’s Core Curriculum, which is designed to build critical thinking, global awareness, and ethical reasoning. The curriculum reflects Colgate’s belief that learning should be expansive and interdisciplinary.

Application Deadlines 

Application Plan	Deadline	Decision Release
Early Decision I	November 1	December 13
Early Decision II	January 15	February 14
Regular Decision	January 15	March 21

Admissions Details

Colgate is test-optional through Fall 2027. Students may choose to submit ACT or SAT scores, and the university superscores across all test dates and formats. For non-native English speakers who do not attend an English-medium school, official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores are required.

Colgate accepts the Common Application, Coalition on Scoir, or the QuestBridge Application. Teacher recommendations should come from core subject teachers from grades 10–12, and a counselor recommendation is also required.

Optional Writing Prompts

Applicants can choose to submit responses to short supplemental prompts designed to give more context to their application. While optional, these prompts offer insight into how students might engage with Colgate’s academic and social environment. There is no disadvantage to choosing not to respond.

Cost of Attendance 

Student Group	Tuition	Housing	Food	Fees	Total Billed Charges
First-year & Sophomores	$73,206	$8,908	$9,538	$440	$92,092
Juniors & Seniors (on campus)	$73,206	$9,654	$9,538	$440	$92,838
Seniors (off campus)	$73,206	—	$9,538	$440	$83,184
Graduate Students (off campus)	$48,804	—	$9,538	$440	$58,782

Other Costs

• Transcript fee (one-time): $50
• Student health insurance (if not waived): $1,990

Research at Colgate

Colgate is a place where undergraduates actively participate in advanced research. Students work side by side with faculty members on projects across disciplines—from environmental science to literature to public health. These hands-on experiences are supported through university grants and summer fellowships.

• 84% of Colgate students engage in research before graduation
• $900,000+ allocated annually for summer research
• Students can receive additional funding for unpaid summer internships and creative projects

Research can begin as early as a student’s first year. Programs like Summer Research Fellowships, Lampert Scholars, and Sophomore Residential Seminars give students the opportunity to explore meaningful topics and work closely with faculty mentors.

In addition to on-campus opportunities, Colgate supports students applying for national and international fellowships like the Fulbright, Watson, and Rhodes scholarships. The Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships provides comprehensive guidance throughout the application process.

Life After Colgate

Colgate graduates are well-prepared to take the next step. The university tracks student outcomes closely, and the data show strong results.

Class of 2024 Post-Graduation Outcomes:

• 97% of graduates secured employment, graduate school, fellowships, military service, or volunteer placements within 6–9 months
• 75.1% employed
• 19.8% in graduate or professional school
• 1.3% awarded competitive fellowships
• 0.3% in service programs (e.g., Peace Corps)
  

Colgate’s strong alumni network, active career services office, and emphasis on skill development ensure students leave with direction.

Colgate is a place where students engage deeply with ideas, build meaningful relationships with faculty, and grow in ways that extend far beyond the classroom. For those exploring their college options, Colgate stands out as a university that encourages both intellectual challenge and personal growth.

At Ivy Talent, we help families make sense of the admissions process and build thoughtful applications tailored to each student’s strengths. If Colgate sounds like the right fit for your child, we’re here to help you craft an application that highlights both potential and purpose.