Top-Ranked, Hands-On Liberal Arts Degrees at Colgate
Colgate University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Technologically Advanced Small Colleges.
Named the U.S. News & World Report’s 16th best liberal arts school, Colgate University splits into four robust, inquiry-based divisions to confer 56 bachelor’s majors and one master’s program at a 9:1 student-faculty ratio with 94 percent retention. For example, the Molecular Biology AB develops a 32-unit STEM curriculum under Dr. Krista Ingram with 15-week Beckman Scholars projects, Florida Keys research trips, and Society for Freshwater Science membership. Chaired by Dr. Dan Monk, the 32-unit Geography AB lets undergrads access the GIS Cartography Lab, map the Galapagos Islands, intern at Oak Ridge, take Hamilton College courses, and minor in Geology.
At Little Hall, the Film & Media Studies AB plots a 32-unit, four-year sequence led by Dr. Mary Simonson with opportunities to publish Maroon News, broadcast on WRCU 90.1 FM, apprentice at NBC Universal, semester in Los Angeles, and present at the Sundance Festival. Directed by Dr. Meg Gardner, the Master of Arts in Teaching has 15-course cohorts of 12 post-grads preparing for initial K-12 New York certification in English, Math, Science, or Social Studies specializations with 100 practicum hours before internship placements, such as Hamilton Central Schools.
Other Colgate options include the Greek AB, Astrogeophysics AB, Neuroscience AB, Religion AB, Anthropology AB, International Relations AB, Native American Studies AB, and Computer Science AB.
About Colgate University
Colgate University originated in 1817 when 13 men, including Jonathan Olmsted and Nathaniel Kendrick, pooled $13 to open the Baptist Education Society of New York State. Three years later, the first classes began at its Hamilton Literary & Theological Institution. On March 26, 1846, the General Assembly formally chartered its Collegiate Department for bachelor’s study. That Fall, it was renamed Madison University after the 4th U.S. President James Madison. In 1890, the Colgate University title was adopted after James B. Colgate donated $1 million. By 1928, Colgate had become non-denominational and moved its Divinity School to Rochester. Accredited since 1921, America’s 66th oldest college started equally admitting women in 1970.
Endowed for $881.3 million, Colgate University now employs 296 full-time faculty challenging 2,982 Raiders from 47 states and 42 nations in Central New York with 200+ clubs like Mock Trial. In 2011, Colgate won the Second Nature Climate Leadership Award. In 2017, Colgate University had a Team One Love Hero Campus Award finalist. Persson Hall received the AIA New England Design Award too. Forbes ranked Colgate the 45th best college with the 15th best liberal arts degrees. On Niche, Colgate boasts America’s 14th best international relations program, 17th top value, 25th top teaching, and 39th most Greek life. The Princeton Review crowned Colgate University 10th for financial aid and 16th for class experience. The Brookings Institute also placed Colgate second before MIT and Harvard for student outcomes.
Colgate University Accreditation Details
On June 21, 2018, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Board of Trustees voted favorably to reaffirm the Level III institutional accreditation at Colgate University through 2026-27 under its 17th president, Dr. Brian W. Casey, who earned a University of Notre Dame Alumni Association Award. Located 247 miles down Interstate 81 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this splendid six-state Northeast Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and New York State Education Department (NYSED). Specifically, the Master of Arts in Teaching was accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in May 2014. The Department of Chemistry was also certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) in 2018.
Colgate University Application Requirements
Admission to Colgate University is classified “most difficult” by Peterson’s because only 2,422 of the 9,716 Fall 2018 applicants were victorious for highly selective 25 percent acceptance. First-year Raiders should finish the New York State Regents diploma or another state’s equivalent. Four years each of English, Math, History, and Science is preferred. The Class of 2022 presented a median 3.8 GPA on the four-point scale. On average, freshmen achieve a 33 ACT and 1450 SAT score. Nine out of 10 Colgate undergrads ranked in their school’s top 20th percentile. Successful collegiate transfers from accredited institutions generally have a 3.0 GPA or better. At least 16 of the 32-course credits must be completed at Colgate University. Foreign learners from non-English countries need a minimum 100 TOEFL iBT or 7.0 IELTS mark. Master of Arts in Teaching cohorts must be four-year bachelor’s grads with strong backgrounds in K-12 content areas. Two semesters of a foreign language are prerequisite. GPAs above 3.0 and GRE General Test scores over 300 are expected.
Colgate University set freshman deadlines of November 15th for Early Decision I, January 15th for Early Decision II, and March 1st for Regular Decision. Transferring undergrads must apply by March 15th for Fall or November 1st for Spring entry. The Master of Arts in Teaching only considers cohorts until February 1st and October 1st respectively. Prospective students attach the Colgate Supplement and $60 non-refundable fee to the Common or Coalition Application online. Certified school transcripts are mailed to 13 Oak Drive in Hamilton, NY 13346. Official test submissions utilize SAT/GRE code 2086 or ACT code 2702. Additional documents include the two teacher recommendations, guidance counselor report, first-trimester senior grades, 250-word personal statement, art portfolio, and work/activity résumé. Learn more by contacting (315) 228-7401 or [email protected].
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Colgate University is charging full-time undergrads $28,847.50 each term or $57,695 annually. Students pay a $350 activity fee and $50 loan fee each year. One-time transcript fees are $50. Unless waived, health insurance premiums are $1,781. Residing at the Hamilton campus’ dorms like Drake Hall adds $6,755 to $7,515 for yearly rent. Premier Gold meal plans for Curtiss E. Frank Dining Hall are $7,520 extra. Colgate budgets $1,040 for books, $300 for domestic travel, and $1,025 for personal needs. Annual bachelor’s study equals about $75,000 on-site and $60,460 with parents. The Master of Arts in Teaching has $55,530 tuition plus $340 fees every year.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office at James B. Colgate Hall connects 48 percent of full-time Raiders to assistance packages averaging $43,532 for $60.64 million combined. The Alumni Memorial Scholars Program gifts $6,000 for freshmen undertaking research and internships. Colgate students frequently receive the Churchill Scholarship, Boren Scholarship, Beinecke Scholarship, Knight-Hennessey Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Schwarzman Scholarship, Scoville Fellowship, Humanity in Action Fellowship, Goldwater Scholarship, and more. The Madison County Community Foundation has over 40 funds, such as the Doris Kintzel Memorial Scholarship, Olevia Cascadden Scholarship, and Soroptimist Scholarship. Since 2017, the Enhanced Tuition Award has presented NYS residents with $6,000 yearly for private colleges like Colgate. Similar state aid like the Tuition Assistance Program, Part-Time Scholarship, Child Welfare Worker Scholarship, and STEM Incentive Scholarship count. Filing FAFSA forms coded 002701 will determine Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, Teach Grant, Work-Study, and Stafford Loan amounts.
Explore the 39 academic departments ranked 53rd overall by Times Higher Education on the Colgate University website.