At a Glance
Hamilton, New York
Undergraduate Students: 3,200
Student to Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Six Year Graduation Rate: 90%
Freshman Retention Rate: 93%
Notable Majors/Programs: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, Pre-Med, Pre-Health
The Feel
Colgate is a research-based small university with standout study abroad/off campus experiences.
In the small charming town of Hamilton, NY. Rolling hills and farmland abound. The gorgeous campus sits on a hill and includes a lake towards the bottom. Beautiful grey stone buildings scatter the campus and underground tunnels exist in part of the campus as well (for the winter). Students decorate the inside of them.
Freshmen complete a first year writing seminar which is capped at 18 students and has 40+ themes for students to choose from. Their professor for this course also serves as their first year advisor. These students also live in the same residence hall together and are paired with a student orientation leader who offers support throughout the first year.
Colgate’s career services in Benton Hall do a superb job at certifying student resumes and maintain a goal of having every student complete two or more professional experiences before graduating. They also have a portal for their very active alumni to access student profiles for hiring. Colgate will fund internships that aren’t paid.
They have 12 residence halls that make up 4 commons, which provide a structured community and sense of belonging for each student. 95% of students live on campus all 4 years.
Colgate’s largest annual event is the Dance Fest, in which 20 dance groups perform.
Standout Points
80% of Colgate’s students end up doing research. Faculty choose to teach here because they love the combination of a small academic environment but with high caliber research opportunities.
Colgate claims to offer more semester based off campus options than any other school. One to make note of is their program with the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD. This type of opportunity is unheard of for undergraduate students.
Colgate was the first university in NY to become carbon neutral.
They are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. Families with incomes up to $150,000 a year will have full need met and receive a financial aid package with no loans. Household incomes of $80,000 or less will receive free tuition!
Fun Fact
The number 13 is a very big deal at Colgate. The school was founded by “13 men with 13 dollars and 13 prayers.” Every Friday the 13th is celebrated by alumni communities around the world and referred to as “Colgate Day.” The Colgate zipcode includes the number 13, their address number is 13, and there are 13 letters in their motto: Deo ac Veritati.
Bottom Line Fit: For the student seeking a liberal arts atmosphere and strong community support in beautiful rural New York that prioritizes off campus experiential education options.
Learn more about Colgate University!