Colgate University admits approximately 11.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 8 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Colgate among the most selective liberal arts colleges in the United States, falling within the Highly Selective category for admission standards. The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Colgate's selectivity and typical four-year institutions, with Colgate accepting 58.6 percentage points fewer applicants than peer institutions. This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students face significant uncertainty in the admission process, as demonstrated by SAT scores among the highest we track nationally. Many students who would thrive at Colgate do not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots. Students considering Colgate should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. Treating Colgate as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy, given the unpredictable nature of highly selective admission processes. The institution's 92.8% retention rate and 90.5% graduation rate indicate that admitted students find strong academic and social fit, validating the selective admission process while highlighting the importance of finding appropriate backup options.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Colgate University typically demonstrate exceptional academic preparation, with SAT scores ranging from 1430 to 1530 and a median of 1480. The middle 50% of enrolled students fall within this range, though students scoring below 1430 are admitted in smaller numbers and those above 1530 represent the top quarter of the incoming class. SAT Math scores range from 720 to 780, while SAT Verbal scores span from 710 to 750, indicating balanced strength across both sections with slightly higher performance in quantitative areas. ACT scores range from 33 to 34 with a median of 33, placing admitted students well into the top percentiles nationally for standardized test performance. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1256, Colgate admits students scoring 224 points higher on average, emphasizing the institution's commitment to academic excellence and rigorous intellectual engagement. These ranges represent enrolled students rather than minimum requirements, meaning some admitted students score outside these bounds but in smaller proportions. Students scoring within the 1430-1530 SAT range can consider themselves academically competitive for admission, while those scoring below 1400 should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage though not automatically excluded. The consistency between SAT and ACT performance suggests that strong preparation in either testing format provides equal consideration in the admission process. Prospective applicants should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college list, particularly given the holistic nature of Colgate's admission process that considers factors beyond test scores alone.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Colgate University enrolls 12.7% Pell-eligible students and 18.1% first-generation students, indicating a student body that includes some economic and educational diversity alongside students from more privileged backgrounds. While these shares are lower than at large public universities, they demonstrate that Colgate does admit and enroll students from diverse economic circumstances within its highly selective framework. Transfer students comprise just 3.3% of the student body, reflecting limited opportunities for students seeking to enter Colgate after beginning their college careers elsewhere. The relatively small transfer population indicates that most students complete their entire undergraduate experience at Colgate, contributing to strong institutional culture and class cohesion. Geographic diversity data suggests that Colgate draws students from across the country, though the institution maintains strong appeal among families familiar with elite liberal arts education. The combination of high academic credentials and moderate economic diversity reflects Colgate's position within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions maintain rigorous admission standards while enrolling some students from varied backgrounds. First-generation students should know that 18.1% of enrolled students share their background, providing peer support and institutional experience serving students without family college experience. Students from lower-income families should consider the 12.7% Pell share when assessing fit, particularly in light of affordability considerations and campus cultural dynamics. The small transfer population means students seeking to transfer to Colgate face extremely limited opportunities and should prioritize direct admission as freshmen.
Given Colgate's 11.9% acceptance rate, most applicants—even highly qualified ones—will need backup options. The schools below deliver comparable career outcomes with more accessible admission, different geographic options, or better value propositions.
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Students who gain admission to Colgate University demonstrate strong persistence and completion rates, with 92.8% of freshmen returning for sophomore year and 90.5% graduating within six years. These retention and completion rates exceed peer medians of 83.1% and 70.0% respectively, indicating that Colgate provides effective academic and social support systems for degree completion once students are admitted. Pell-eligible students graduate at 84.0%, creating a 6.5 percentage point gap between overall and Pell completion rates that suggests some challenges for lower-income students but remains within typical ranges for highly selective institutions. The gap indicates that while most Pell students succeed at Colgate, they face additional hurdles that result in slightly lower completion rates compared to their higher-income peers. However, the 84% Pell completion rate still represents strong outcomes for first-generation and lower-income students who gain admission. These metrics demonstrate that Colgate's selective admission process effectively identifies students capable of thriving in the institution's academic environment, with the vast majority of admitted students successfully completing their degrees. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support for degree completion, evidenced by retention and graduation rates well above national averages. Lower-income students should weigh the 6.5 percentage point Pell gap when considering this institution, though the majority of Pell students do successfully graduate. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the supportive academic environment they will experience if admitted.
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