Head-to-Head Comparison
Colgate University vs Georgetown University
- Colgate Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 15
- Georgetown Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colgate University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Georgetown University achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 91%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $40,815 compared to Colgate University's $28,786. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Colgate University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Colgate
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,786, roughly $12,029 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,000, the lower of the two
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 22% more than Colgate University
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Colgate graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (34% of degrees); Georgetown in Social Sciences (36%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Georgetown University over Colgate University. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $85,139.
Pick Colgate University over Georgetown University. Net price $28,786 vs $40,815.
Pick Georgetown University over Colgate University. 1.9% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Georgetown University over Colgate University. 95% completion rate vs 91%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Colgate University and Georgetown University are close on paper, but Georgetown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Georgetown University is the harder admit. It takes 13% of applicants, while Colgate University takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,508 to 1,487.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Georgetown University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Colgate University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,786, about $12,029 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Colgate University also borrow less: median debt of $15,000, against $15,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $48,116 before any change in aid. Choosing Colgate University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $85,139 at Colgate University. That is a 22% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 22% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Georgetown University graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 91%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Georgetown University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; at Colgate University, it is 0.9%. Georgetown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Georgetown University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Colgate University to keep costs and debt down; pick Georgetown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Colgate University saves about $12,029 a year, yet Georgetown University graduates earn $18,355 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Colgate University concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while Georgetown University leans toward Business & Marketing, Legal Studies. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Colgate University has less business program depth, and Georgetown University offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,815 runs well above Colgate University's $28,786.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgetown University's enrollment of 7,569 far exceeds Colgate University's 3,180.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgetown holds onto its admits more tightly: 44% of admitted students enroll, versus 29% at Colgate — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Colgate offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgetown does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Colgate, where only about 37% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 14%, Colgate University attracts students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply with their studies. This school is a great fit for those interested in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science, and Physical Sciences. The tight-knit community and emphasis on critical thinking make it a place where students can really thrive.
After graduation, Colgate alums see an impressive median earnings of $85,139 after ten years. This strong financial outcome reflects not just the quality of education, but also the commitment of students to leverage their degrees in meaningful ways. While the Pell Grant rate sits at 13%, the majority of students manage to find success in their careers, illustrating that hard work and dedication pay off.
On the practical side, the net price after aid stands at $28,786, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. The median debt of $15,000 is relatively low, suggesting that most students graduate with a solid financial footing. Those who tend to thrive here are motivated individuals seeking a challenging academic environment and who value the connections made during their time at Colgate.
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgetown University is featured on the Highest-Paying Online MBA Programs ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 34% of Colgate's student body and 36% of Georgetown's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colgate) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colgate University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Psychology, while Georgetown University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Legal Studies. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Colgate University or Georgetown University?
Georgetown University is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 14% at Colgate University.
Which is more affordable, Colgate University or Georgetown University?
Colgate University is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,786 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do Colgate University or Georgetown University graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $85,139 at Colgate University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colgate University or Georgetown University?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 91%.
Colgate University vs Georgetown University: which is better for social mobility?
Georgetown University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Colgate University or Georgetown University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colgate University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgetown University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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