Head-to-head comparison
Colgate University vs. Washington and Lee University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Colgate or Washington & Lee harder to get into?
Colgate is harder to get into than Washington & Lee. Colgate's 13.9% acceptance rate is lower than Washington & Lee's 14.0%.
Which is cheaper, Colgate or Washington & Lee?
Washington & Lee costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Washington & Lee's average net price is $23,781 vs $28,786 at Colgate.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Washington & Lee graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $85,139 at Colgate and $94,810 at Washington & Lee.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Colgate | Washington & Lee |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 13.9% | 14.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1430–1540 | 1430–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–34 | 33–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $87,070 | $87,000 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $28,786 | $23,781 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 3,180 | 1,881 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 91.2% | 93.9% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $85,139 | $94,810 |
| Setting | Hamilton, New York | Lexington, VA |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Colgate's 13.9% acceptance rate and Washington & Lee's 14.0% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Washington & Lee is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $5,005 per year, $20,020 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Washington & Lee graduates earn $9,671 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Colgate grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Colgate is substantially larger with 3,180 undergrads vs 1,881 at Washington & Lee. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Colgate is in Hamilton, New York; Washington & Lee is in Lexington, VA. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Colgate is 56.8% women, 8.1% international, and 5.3% Asian-American. Washington & Lee is 51.1% women, 8.2% international, and 4.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Colgate | Washington & Lee |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 56.8% | 51.1% |
| International | 8.1% | 8.2% |
| White | 64.3% | 68.0% |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.7% |
| Hispanic | 9.6% | 8.6% |
| Black | 4.3% | 4.6% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Colgate vs. Washington & Lee?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Colgate if
- Core Distinction courses
Pick Washington & Lee if
- Your odds are realistic at Washington & Lee (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Washington & Lee costs $5,005 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($94,810 vs $85,139)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Honor System
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Colgate University
13.9% accept · Hamilton, New York
Full profile
Washington and Lee University
14.0% accept · Lexington, VA
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.