Middlebury College vs Colgate University

Middlebury College and Colgate University, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Middlebury, nestled in the picturesque town of Middlebury, Vermont, boasts a lower acceptance rate (15.6%) compared to Colgate's (26.4%) in Hamilton, New York. While Middlebury excels in languages, literature, and the arts, Colgate emphasizes sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Middlebury's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of 2,500 compared to Colgate's 2,900. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Middlebury at 94% and Colgate at 93%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these colleges' unique offerings and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Colgate University	Middlebury College
Overview
Location	Hamilton, New York	Middlebury, Vermont
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	17.2%	13.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1350 - 1500	1380 - 1530
ACT range	32 - 34	32 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%	31.0%
Students submitting ACT score	21.0%	23.0%
Total number of applicants	17,540	11,906
Total number of admissions given out	3,015	1,601
Admitted students who chose to enroll	887	680
Yield rate	29.4%	42.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$80,160	$78,820
Average net price	$24,500	$26,958
Tuition	$61,594	$59,330
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,496 Meal plan: $8,028	Room/dormitory: $9,600 Meal plan: $7,450
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	41.0% Average amount $53,718	52.0% Average amount $49,988
Students receiving federal student loan	11.0% Average amount $4,253	25.0% Average amount $4,384
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $34,492	10.0% Average amount $7,858

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,164 Men 45.0% Women 55.0%	2,858 Men 46.4% Women 53.6%
Graduate students	12 Men 41.7% Women 58.3%	79 Men 8.9% Women 91.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	75.2%	94.7%
International students	8.8%	12.3%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	2,972	2,891
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	New York Mississippi California Connecticut Vermont

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Physical Science Ethnic Studies Visual & Performing Arts	Foreign Languages and Literatures Social Sciences Ethnic Studies English Language and Literature Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.3%	91.2%
Dropout rate	2.8%	1.7%
Transferred out	6.7%	7.1%
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 (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,712 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $98,106 International Relations and National Security Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,169 Year 2: $60,523 Year 3: $68,272 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,074 Year 2: $41,025 Year 3: $62,953 International Business (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,380 Year 2: $55,512 Year 3: $62,186 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,883 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $61,255 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,031 Year 2: $40,485 Year 3: $60,732 Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,928 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $57,550 Education, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,155 Year 2: $46,869 Year 3: $50,725 Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $38,056 Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: $44,126 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,769 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $41,771

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Middlebury College and Colgate University?

Middlebury College is a highly selective liberal arts college known for its strong language programs, environmental studies, and a unique February start option. Colgate University, also a selective liberal arts college, is recognized for its strong core curriculum, Division I athletics, and focus on leadership development. Middlebury is located in a rural Vermont setting, while Colgate is in a small town in central New York. Middlebury is known for its strong environmental focus, while Colgate is known for its strong alumni network.
How do the academic programs at Middlebury and Colgate compare?

Both Middlebury and Colgate offer a wide range of liberal arts majors. Middlebury excels in languages, international studies, and environmental science, often leveraging its unique location and resources. Colgate has a strong reputation in economics, political science, and natural sciences, with a well-regarded core curriculum that emphasizes interdisciplinary learning. Both institutions offer opportunities for research and study abroad.
What is the campus environment like at Middlebury versus Colgate?

Middlebury's campus is located in a rural, picturesque Vermont setting, attracting students who appreciate the outdoors and a close-knit community. Colgate's campus, located in Hamilton, New York, offers a more traditional college town experience with a vibrant social scene and strong school spirit, particularly surrounding its Division I athletic programs. Both campuses are beautiful and offer a variety of extracurricular activities.
How do the admissions processes and selectivity compare between Middlebury and Colgate?

Both Middlebury and Colgate are highly selective institutions with competitive admissions processes. They both look for students with strong academic records, compelling essays, and significant extracurricular involvement. Acceptance rates are generally similar, reflecting their high demand. Both schools use the Common Application.
What are the opportunities for study abroad at Middlebury and Colgate?

Both Middlebury and Colgate offer extensive study abroad programs. Middlebury's Schools Abroad are particularly well-regarded, offering immersive language and cultural experiences in various countries. Colgate also has a wide range of study abroad options, including semester-long programs and short-term faculty-led trips. Both institutions encourage students to broaden their perspectives through international experiences.
How do the athletic programs differ between Middlebury and Colgate?

Colgate University competes in NCAA Division I athletics, offering a higher level of competition and a greater emphasis on varsity sports. Middlebury College competes in NCAA Division III, which prioritizes the student-athlete experience and allows students to balance academics and athletics. While both schools offer a variety of sports, Colgate's Division I status often leads to greater school spirit and visibility for its athletic programs.
What is the cost of attendance and financial aid like at Middlebury and Colgate?

The cost of attendance at Middlebury and Colgate is comparable, as both are private liberal arts colleges. Both institutions offer need-based financial aid packages to eligible students. The specific amount of aid awarded varies based on individual family circumstances. Prospective students should explore the net price calculators on each college's website to estimate their potential costs.
What are the career services and alumni networks like at Middlebury and Colgate?

Both Middlebury and Colgate offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Colgate is known for its particularly strong and active alumni network, which can be a valuable resource for students seeking internships and job opportunities. Middlebury also has a supportive alumni network, especially within fields like international affairs and environmental studies.
How does the 'Feb' program at Middlebury College work, and is there anything similar at Colgate?

Middlebury's 'Feb' program allows a cohort of students to begin their college experience in February, spending the fall semester engaged in travel, internships, or other enriching experiences. This provides a unique entry point and a distinct community within the larger student body. Colgate does not have a similar program. Students at Colgate begin their studies in the fall semester.
What are some unique aspects of student life at Middlebury and Colgate?

At Middlebury, student life is often centered around outdoor activities, environmental awareness, and a strong sense of community. The campus is known for its active student government and a variety of clubs and organizations. Colgate's student life is characterized by a strong sense of school spirit, particularly surrounding its Division I athletic teams. The campus offers a vibrant social scene with numerous clubs, organizations, and events.

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