Davidson College vs Colgate University

Davidson College and Colgate University, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Davidson, nestled in North Carolina, boasts a slightly higher acceptance rate (30.5%) compared to Colgate's 26.4% in New York. While Davidson's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 12.5% of the population, Colgate's student body is predominantly White (73.5%). Both colleges excel in academics, with Davidson's popular majors including Economics, Biology, and English, while Colgate's strengths lie in Economics, Political Science, and Biology. Davidson's graduation rate stands at an impressive 91%, while Colgate's is slightly lower at 89%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Colgate University	Davidson College
Overview
Location	Hamilton, New York	Davidson, North Carolina
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Presbyterian

Admission
Acceptance rate	17.2%	17.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $50	$50
SAT range	1350 - 1500	N/A
ACT range	32 - 34	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%
Students submitting ACT score	21.0%
Total number of applicants	17,540	6,434
Total number of admissions given out	3,015	1,145
Admitted students who chose to enroll	887	547
Yield rate	29.4%	47.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$80,160	$73,200
Average net price	$24,500	$25,794
Tuition	$61,594	$54,460
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,496 Meal plan: $8,028	Room/dormitory: $7,700 Meal plan: $7,525
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	41.0% Average amount $53,718	64.0% Average amount $47,889
Students receiving federal student loan	11.0% Average amount $4,253	10.0% Average amount $5,095
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $34,492	2.0% Average amount $33,219

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,164 Men 45.0% Women 55.0%	1,973 Men 47.2% Women 52.8%
Graduate students	12 Men 41.7% Women 58.3%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	75.2%	76.8%
International students	8.8%	8.2%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,972	1,830
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Connecticut California Pennsylvania	North Carolina Virginia Texas New Jersey Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Physical Science Ethnic Studies Visual & Performing Arts	Psychology Physical Science Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Ethnic Studies
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.3%	89.6%
Dropout rate	2.8%	10.0%
Transferred out	6.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,196 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $86,742 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $53,775 Year 3: $67,401 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,813 Year 2: $53,358 Year 3: $60,399 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,179 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $57,947 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,895 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $51,701 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,416 Year 3: $50,739 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,610 Year 2: $36,848 Year 3: $43,419 Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $33,641 Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $40,037 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,181 Year 2: $24,421 Year 3: $21,648 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,942 Year 3: N/A	Economics (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $60,797 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,388 Political Science and Government (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $42,752 Year 2: $45,715 Year 3: $53,747 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $43,240 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $41,099 Year 2: $35,330 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $31,670 Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $34,292 Year 2: $28,598 Year 3: N/A Anthropology (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: N/A History (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $22,075 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Davidson College and Colgate University?

Davidson College emphasizes a strong liberal arts foundation with a focus on undergraduate education. While offering a broad range of disciplines, it's particularly known for its humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences programs. Colgate University also provides a liberal arts education, but it has a slightly larger scope, offering more specialized programs and a graduate-level component in some areas. Both institutions prioritize critical thinking and intellectual exploration.
How do the campus environments and locations differ between Davidson and Colgate?

Davidson College is located in the small, charming town of Davidson, North Carolina, offering a close-knit community feel. The campus is known for its beautiful architecture and pedestrian-friendly layout. Colgate University is situated in Hamilton, New York, a rural setting that provides a more secluded and picturesque environment. Colgate's campus is larger and more spread out, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
What is the typical student body size and student-faculty ratio at each institution?

Davidson College has a smaller student body, typically around 2,000 students, which contributes to a more intimate learning environment. The student-faculty ratio is approximately 9:1. Colgate University has a slightly larger undergraduate population, around 3,000 students, and a student-faculty ratio of about 9:1. Both institutions offer small class sizes and opportunities for close interaction with professors.
How do Davidson and Colgate compare in terms of selectivity and admissions?

Both Davidson College and Colgate University are highly selective institutions with rigorous admissions processes. They both look for students with strong academic records, demonstrated leadership potential, and a commitment to intellectual curiosity. Acceptance rates are competitive at both schools, typically falling within the single-digit to low double-digit percentages.
What are the key differences in the social and extracurricular activities available at Davidson and Colgate?

Davidson College's social scene is often centered around campus events, student organizations, and the town of Davidson. Greek life is present but not dominant. Colgate University offers a wider range of extracurricular activities due to its larger student body, including a more robust Greek life presence and a greater variety of clubs and organizations. Both schools offer ample opportunities for student involvement in athletics, arts, and community service.
How do the athletic programs compare between Davidson College and Colgate University?

Davidson College competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. It's particularly known for its strong basketball program. Colgate University also competes in NCAA Division I athletics, as a member of the Patriot League. Colgate offers a broader range of varsity sports, including football, hockey, and lacrosse, in addition to basketball. Both schools emphasize the importance of athletics as part of the overall student experience.
What are the career services and post-graduate opportunities like at Davidson and Colgate?

Both Davidson College and Colgate University provide comprehensive career services to help students prepare for life after graduation. They offer resources such as career counseling, resume workshops, internship opportunities, and networking events. Graduates from both institutions pursue a wide range of career paths in fields such as business, law, medicine, education, and the arts. Both schools have strong alumni networks that provide valuable support to recent graduates.
How do the costs of attendance and financial aid packages compare between Davidson and Colgate?

The cost of attendance at Davidson College and Colgate University is comparable, including tuition, fees, room, and board. Both institutions are committed to making education accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and offer generous financial aid packages, including need-based grants and merit-based scholarships. It's recommended to visit each school's financial aid website to get a personalized estimate of the cost of attendance based on your family's financial situation.
What are some unique aspects of Davidson College that distinguish it from Colgate University?

Davidson College is known for its Honor Code, which fosters a strong sense of trust and responsibility among students. It also has a strong emphasis on service learning and community engagement. Davidson's smaller size contributes to a more intimate and personalized learning experience.
What are some unique aspects of Colgate University that distinguish it from Davidson College?

Colgate University's core curriculum is highly regarded and provides a broad interdisciplinary foundation. Its location in rural New York offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration. Colgate's larger size allows for a greater diversity of academic programs and extracurricular activities.

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