Head-to-Head Comparison
Colgate University vs University of Georgia
- Colgate Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 17
- Georgia Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Georgia offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Colgate University achieves a higher graduation rate (91% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $28,786 compared to University of Georgia's $13,936 for in-state paths. Students who choose University of Georgia benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $68,726 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Colgate
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment, 24% more than University of Georgia
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 14% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Georgia
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,936, roughly $14,850 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.1%, 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); Georgia in Business & Marketing (29%). 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 Colgate University over University of Georgia. Median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment vs $68,726.
Pick University of Georgia over Colgate University. Net price $13,936 vs $28,786.
Pick University of Georgia over Colgate University. 1.1% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Colgate University and University of Georgia are close on paper, but Colgate 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
Colgate University is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while University of Georgia takes 38%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,508 to 1,397.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Colgate 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, University of Georgia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $13,936, about $14,850 a year below Colgate University's $28,786. Graduates of Colgate University also borrow less: median debt of $15,000, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $59,400 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Georgia leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Colgate University graduates report median earnings of $85,139, compared with $68,726 at University of Georgia. That is a 24% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colgate University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 24% 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.
Moving people up
University of Georgia does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.1%; at Colgate University, it is 0.9%. University of Georgia also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Georgia 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 University of Georgia to keep costs and debt down; pick Colgate 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. University of Georgia saves about $14,850 a year, yet Colgate University graduates earn $16,413 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Colgate University is harder to get into, with a 14% admit rate, but University of Georgia posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.1%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Colgate University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while University of Georgia leans toward Business & Marketing, Communications. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $28,786 runs well above University of Georgia's $13,936.
- Business and consulting-track students: Colgate University has less business program depth, and University of Georgia offers the stronger options.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,500, against $15,000 at Colgate University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Georgia's enrollment of 32,137 far exceeds Colgate University's 3,180.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgia holds onto its admits more tightly: 38% 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; Georgia 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.
University of Georgia
Athens, GA · Public
The University of Georgia has a graduation rate of 89%, indicating strong student persistence and success. This is a significant figure for prospective students evaluating the likelihood of completing their degree.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility statistics are not available for this institution. However, the overall outcomes for graduates suggest a solid earning potential. Alumni report an average income of $68,726 ten years after graduation, reflecting the value of a degree from this university.
The cost of attendance is relatively manageable with a net price of $13,936 and a median debt of $18,500. Students who thrive here typically pursue popular programs in Business, Communications, and Biological Sciences. The diverse offerings cater to a range of interests, making it a suitable choice for many.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Georgia is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Georgia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Colgate's top program is Sociology (34% of enrollment), while Georgia leads with Business Administration (29%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colgate) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Georgia).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colgate University is strongest in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while University of Georgia concentrates in Business & Marketing, Communications. 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 University of Georgia?
Colgate University is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 38% at University of Georgia.
Which is more affordable, Colgate University or University of Georgia?
University of Georgia is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,936 after aid versus $28,786 at Colgate University.
Do Colgate University or University of Georgia graduates earn more?
Colgate University graduates earn more: median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment, versus $68,726 at University of Georgia.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colgate University or University of Georgia?
Colgate University has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 89%.
Colgate University vs University of Georgia: which is better for social mobility?
University of Georgia is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.1% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Colgate University or University of Georgia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Georgia if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Colgate 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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