Colgate University: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances

Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI

Quick answer: Colgate University has a 15% acceptance rate, which makes it a highly selective school. Admitted students typically score around 1460 on the SAT or 33 on the ACT. Use the free calculator below to estimate your personal odds at Colgate University.
Acceptance rate15%
SAT (75th percentile)1460
ACT (75th percentile)33
LocationNY
School typePrivate

Colgate University is a private liberal arts university in Hamilton, New York. It accepts about 15% of applicants, so gaining admission is a real challenge. The school has a strong academic environment and a close-knit campus community.

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How hard is it to get into Colgate University?

Colgate's 15% acceptance rate means the school admits only a small share of applicants each year. The student body is academically strong, and the competition at the application stage reflects that. Most admitted students have taken demanding courses, performed well in them, and brought something genuine to their applications.

Hamilton, New York is a small college town, so students who are looking for a big-city campus tend to self-select out. That said, the students who choose Colgate are often a good fit for its culture, and showing that fit in your application matters.

Test scores that make you competitive

The SAT 75th percentile among Colgate's admitted students is 1460, and the ACT 75th percentile is 33. Getting to or past those numbers is a good sign for the testing part of your file. Colgate has moved toward test-optional policies, so students who do not submit scores can still be viable candidates if their transcripts and other materials are strong.

What Colgate University looks for

Colgate pays attention to course rigor first. Taking the hardest available classes at your school and doing well in them is the most important thing you can do academically. Outside of class, sustained involvement in one or two areas typically reads better than a long list of brief commitments. Recommendations that speak specifically to your character and intellectual energy carry real weight. And the essays are a place to be direct and honest about who you are, not to impress anyone.

Estimate your chances at Colgate University

The CollegeCalcAI calculator at collegecalcai.com is free and gives you a personalized estimate of your odds at Colgate based on your GPA, test scores, and activities. It is a quick way to get a realistic read before you put in the application work.

Frequently asked questions

What is Colgate University's acceptance rate?

Colgate University accepts approximately 15% of applicants.

What SAT or ACT score do I need for Colgate University?

The SAT 75th percentile is 1460 and the ACT 75th percentile is 33. Colgate is test-optional, so submitting scores is a choice, not a requirement.

Is Colgate University hard to get into?

Yes. With a 15% acceptance rate, Colgate is selective. Most applicants do not receive an offer.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.