Explore alternatives based on outcomes, location, cost, and admission difficulty
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.
These schools offer higher acceptance rates while delivering comparable career outcomes.
For similar outcomes with better admission odds, consider Union College (43.8% acceptance, $88,604 median earnings) just 81 miles away in New York. Binghamton University admits 37.7% of applicants while producing graduates earning $80,596, located 55 miles from Colgate with significantly lower costs as a public institution. Siena College offers 70.6% acceptance rates with graduates earning $76,079, though outcomes are somewhat lower than Colgate's performance.
Strong options in the same region with comparable academic profiles.
Students wanting to stay in New York should consider Union College (81 miles away) with nearly identical earnings of $88,604 and more accessible 43.8% admission rates. Hamilton College sits just 17 miles from Colgate with similar 11.8% admission rates and $78,411 graduate earnings for those comfortable with comparable selectivity. Binghamton University provides a public option 55 miles away with strong $80,596 earnings and 37.7% acceptance rates.
Elite universities with similar prestige and academic caliber
Similar quality tier (#436 ranked)