Hamilton, NY · Private University
Is Colgate University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$85,139
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$67,024
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$67,024
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$268,096
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.27x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
90.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$15,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,107
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Colgate University graduates earn $40,139 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Colgate University ranked by graduate earnings
52 graduates
45 graduates
27 graduates
21 graduates
20 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Colgate University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Colgate University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $103,456) and the lowest (Biology, General: $36,509) is $66,947/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $103,456 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $85,816 | 1.3x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $79,929 | 1.2x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $70,524 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $65,215 | 1.0x |
| Sociology(1yr data) | $51,788 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $49,657 | 0.7x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $44,089 | 0.7x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $41,883 | 0.6x |
| Biology, GeneralLowest | $36,509 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate University | 1.27x | $85,139 | Average ROI |
| Hamilton College | 1.19x | $78,411 | Average ROI |
| Middlebury College | 1.17x | $76,310 | Average ROI |
| Wellesley College | 1.32x | $84,803 | Average ROI |
| Barnard College | 1.22x | $80,516 | Average ROI |
| Tufts University | 1.23x | $83,214 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Colgate University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $85,139 10 years after starting — $40,139 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.3 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.