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College comparison
Colgate vs Washington & Lee
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Colgate Hamilton, NY |  Washington & Lee Lexington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateColgate University is more selective | 14% | 14% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1430–1540 | 1430–1540 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 3,180 | 1,881 |
| Avg net price | $28,786 | $23,781 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Washington & Lee reports higher median earnings | $85,139 | $94,810 |
| Graduation rate | 91% | 94% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $19,500 |
| Economic mobility | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Colgate vs Washington & Lee: how they compare
Both are highly selective, financially sound liberal arts colleges in classic college towns, but they diverge in economic profile and post-graduate outcomes.
By the numbers The schools are identically selective (14% acceptance) with identical SAT midranges (1430–1540). Outcomes and value, however, differ. Washington and Lee’s 10-year median earnings of $95k exceed Colgate’s $85k. Combined with a lower average net price ($24k vs. $29k), W&L’s financial value is higher at 4.0× earnings per dollar of net price versus Colgate’s 3.0×. Colgate demonstrates significantly higher economic mobility (87% rate vs. 57%) and greater year-to-year volatility in its admit rate (112% vs. 54%). Financially, both are very healthy, with Colgate scoring a 2.6/3 and W&L a -2.3/3 on the DOE scale. Graduation rates are excellent and comparable (W&L 94%, Colgate 91%).
Where they overlap Both offer a rigorous liberal arts education within a tight-knit, residential college town setting. They attract similar, highly affluent student bodies and share elite status among national liberal arts colleges.
How they differ Culturally, they represent different flavors of a high-achieving environment. Descriptions of Washington and Lee point to a pronounced "work-hard, party-hard" social scene with a strong, loyal alumni network. Colgate is characterized as placing a stronger emphasis on organized extracurriculars and volunteerism within its community.
Who each suits Washington and Lee suits a student seeking a tradition-rich environment with a strong focus on professional outcomes, particularly in business and law. Colgate is a better fit for a student prioritizing a more community-engaged, extracurricular-driven campus culture in the Northeast, and for families for whom a university's track record of elevating students' economic mobility is a significant factor.
Editorial overview — a qualitative summary of culture and fit, reviewed for accuracy. Not a ranking or a guarantee.
Quick answers
- Is Colgate University or Washington and Lee University harder to get into?
- Colgate University is more selective: Colgate University's acceptance rate is approximately 14% and Washington and Lee University's is approximately 14% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Colgate University vs Washington and Lee University?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1430–1540 at Colgate University and 1430–1540 at Washington and Lee University. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.