
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, enrolling approximately 3,200 students in 56 undergraduate majors. Founded in 1819 as the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York, Colgate has since become a leading American university known for its intellectual rigor, world-class professors, and stunning campus. The student body is diverse, with 54% female and 46% male students, and students can participate in over 200 clubs and organizations, including a student-operated radio station, WRCU, and a student-run TV station, CUTV. With small class sizes, students at Colgate benefit from direct access to faculty experts and robust financial aid packages, graduating with lower student loan debt than the national average.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of institution | Private |
| Year founded | 1819 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,131 (fall 2023) |
| Campus size | 553 acres |
| Student gender | 54% female, 46% male |
| Number of clubs | Over 200 |
| Tuition fees | $70,306 |
| Tuition fees waiver | Families making $80,000 or less |
| Became coeducational | 1970 |
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Undergraduate enrollment is 3,131 (fall 2023)
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, founded in 1819. The college offers a variety of undergraduate majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree and a small graduate program in Master of Arts in Teaching. Colgate's campus covers 553 acres of rural land, and the student body is made up of approximately 54% female and 46% male students, totalling around 3,200 students.
Colgate's undergraduate enrollment for the fall of 2023 is expected to be 3,131 students. The college is known for its intellectual rigour and world-class professors, and it offers small class sizes to facilitate direct access to faculty experts. The university also boasts a robust array of student activities, including over 200 clubs and organizations, as well as a student-operated radio station, WRCU, and a student-run TV station, CUTV.
The history of coeducation at Colgate is worth noting. While it began as an all-male institution, females started attending in a limited capacity as early as the mid-1800s. The first full-time female student, Mabel Dart (later Colegrove), participated in classes from 1878 to 1882. However, she officially received her degree from Vassar College, an all-female institution at the time, to avoid the perceived embarrassment of graduating from an all-male college. Colgate became fully coeducational in 1970.
Colgate University's reputation for academic excellence is reflected in the value of its degree. The university is ranked #22 in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges for National Liberal Arts Colleges. The tuition and fees for the 2025 school year are set at $70,306. Additionally, Colgate offers robust financial aid packages, ensuring that its graduates have significantly lower student loan debt than the national average.
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Approximately 3,200 students in total
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, enrolling approximately 3,200 students. Founded in 1819, it is known for its academic excellence, world-class professors, and stunning campus. The student body is composed of 54% female and 46% male students, who take part in over 200 clubs and organisations.
The college offers 56 undergraduate majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. It also has a small graduate programme in the Master of Arts in Teaching. Colgate's campus spans 553 acres and is known for its beauty. The university is also recognised for its robust financial aid packages, allowing graduates to have lower student loan debt than the national average.
Colgate has a long and interesting history. It was originally established as the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York and has since undergone several name changes. During World War II, the university participated in the V-12 Navy College Training Program, offering a pathway to a Navy commission. Colgate became fully coeducational in 1970, and today, its athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I and are part of the Patriot League.
The number 13 is considered lucky at Colgate, with many traditions and aspects of the university incorporating this number. For example, the university's address is 13 Oak Drive, and its zip code is 13346, which begins and ends with digits that sum to 13. These traditions are a unique part of Colgate's identity and culture.
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54% of students are female
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York. Founded in 1819, the college enrols approximately 3,200 students, 54% of whom are female. This gender breakdown reflects the college's journey towards becoming a fully coeducational institution.
Initially established as an all-male institution, Colgate University witnessed a gradual shift towards gender diversity. As early as the mid-1800s, Emily Taylor, the daughter of then-president Stephen W. Taylor, attended her father's moral philosophy class. This marked the beginning of female participation at the university. The first full-time female student, Mabel Dart (later Colegrove), pursued her studies at Colgate from 1878 to 1882. However, to avoid the potential embarrassment of graduating from an all-male college, Dart officially received her degree from Vassar College, then a women's college.
Over time, Colgate University continued to evolve, and by 1970, it had become fully coeducational. The college's commitment to gender equality is evident in its current student body composition, with females constituting a slight majority. This development aligns with the university's values, fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment.
The female student population at Colgate University actively engages in various aspects of campus life. They participate in over 200 clubs and organisations, contributing to a vibrant and dynamic community. The university's student-operated radio station, WRCU, and student-run TV station, CUTV, provide avenues for expression and creativity. Additionally, the first student newspaper, the Hamilton Student, was launched in 1846, reflecting a long history of student journalism.
The gender ratio at Colgate University, with 54% of its students being female, reflects the university's progress and commitment to inclusivity. This balance contributes to a diverse and enriching educational experience for all students, fostering a community that values the contributions and perspectives of both genders.
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46% of students are male
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York. Founded in 1819, it has approximately 3,200 students, 46% of whom are male. The gender balance at Colgate has shifted significantly over the past two centuries. The university was originally established as an all-male institution, but began to admit female students in a limited capacity as early as the mid-19th century. For example, Emily Taylor, the daughter of then-president Stephen W. Taylor, attended her father's moral philosophy class in the 1850s. The first full-time female student, Mabel Dart, participated in classes from 1878 to 1882, but she officially received her degree from the then all-female Vassar College to avoid the perceived embarrassment of graduating from an all-male college.
Colgate's transition towards coeducation accelerated following World War II, when the university allowed the wives of enrolled veterans and faculty spouses to participate in courses. By the 1970s, Colgate had become a fully coeducational institution. Today, with 54% of its student body identifying as female and 46% as male, Colgate has a slightly higher proportion of female students. This gender balance is reflected in the composition of the Tredecim Senior Honor Society, which is composed of 13 men and 13 women.
The university offers 56 undergraduate majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as a small graduate program in Master of Arts in Teaching. Colgate's student body is known for its involvement in extracurricular activities, with students participating in over 200 clubs and organizations. The university also boasts a robust athletics program, competing in NCAA Division I sports as part of the Patriot League athletic conference and ECAC Hockey.
Colgate University's student population of approximately 3,200 includes undergraduate and graduate students. While the majority of students are pursuing undergraduate degrees, a small number are enrolled in the university's graduate program. Among the undergraduate students, 46% are male, indicating that the male student population is likely between 1,400 and 1,500. This estimate assumes an even distribution of male and female students across undergraduate and graduate programs, though the actual distribution may vary.
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Plans to be tuition-free for students from families making $80,000 or less
Colgate University is a leading American university known for its academic excellence, world-class professors, and stunning campus. The university offers robust financial aid packages, ensuring that Colgate students graduate with significantly lower student loan debt than the national average.
In a bold initiative, Colgate University has announced plans to eliminate tuition fees for students from families earning $80,000 or less per year. This initiative, known as the Colgate Commitment, demonstrates the university's commitment to accessibility and affordability for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
The Colgate Commitment aims to assist both lower-income students and those from the middle class. Students with family incomes between $80,000 and $175,000 will pay a percentage of their annual income toward tuition, with their demonstrated financial need met through financial aid packages that do not include loans. This ensures that students' academic choices and experiences are not limited by their financial circumstances.
For the Class of 2026, Colgate is taking a significant step towards accessibility by offering free tuition to students from families earning below $80,000 and expanding support for those with household incomes up to $150,000. This initiative is expected to encourage more students to apply, as free tuition can remove financial barriers and make a Colgate education more attainable.
The university's commitment to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need of its students is commendable. Additionally, their no-loan initiative, which replaces federal grants with university aid, has already led to increased interest, with a 104% surge in applications for the Class of 2025.
Colgate University's plans to be tuition-free for students from families earning $80,000 or less annually is a testament to their dedication to making higher education accessible to talented students regardless of their financial situation. By removing financial obstacles, Colgate empowers students to focus on their academic pursuits and personal growth during their time at the university.
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Frequently asked questions
Colgate University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,131 students as of Fall 2023.
The student body at Colgate is made up of 54% female and 46% male students.
On average, Colgate enrolls approximately 3,200 students in its undergraduate programs.
For students who entered their first year at Colgate in 2016, the acceptance rate was 94%.
Colgate University became fully coeducational in 1970, although women had been attending the university in limited numbers since the mid-1800s.











































