Thirteen men, thirteen dollars and thirteen prayers: that is Colgate's founding story from 1819, and the number 13 still turns up across campus. Colgate University is a private liberal arts school of about 3,000 undergraduates in Hamilton, a village in central New York. The campus climbs a steep hill above Taylor Lake. Students choose from around 50 majors and plenty of off-campus study groups.
Hamilton, New York, United States
Official website: colgate.edu
1819
Private liberal arts university
NCAA Division I, Patriot League
Village of Hamilton, central New York
$68,000 – $72,000
Tuition before need-based aid
$17,000 – $20,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on colgate.edu before you apply.
BA Economics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA Neuroscience
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA Political Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
A hillside campus above Taylor Lake.
Faculty-led off-campus study groups around the world.
Division I sports at a small liberal arts college.
Many graduates start in finance and consulting in New York City.
A good share of alumni go on to law, medical or graduate school.
Colgate's alumni network is active in hiring its own graduates.
Undergrad
Mid-Jan deadline
Postgrad
No PG intake
Hamilton is a village of a few thousand people, with a green, a cinema and a handful of restaurants. College life happens mostly on campus.
Syracuse is under an hour's drive for flights and shopping. Winters are cold and snowy, so bring proper boots.
Form I-20 issued by Colgate University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Colgate has Early Decision I in mid-November, and Early Decision II and Regular Decision in mid-January. Financial aid documents are due around the same dates.
New students start in late August. There is no spring entry for first-year students.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Colgate University first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Economics, computer science, neuroscience and political science are among the most popular majors. Admission is selective and holistic, looking at grades, essays and references. Non-native speakers usually show TOEFL 100 or IELTS 7.0.
Colgate awards aid based on need, not merit, and meets the full demonstrated need of admitted students, including international students. International applicants who ask for aid are reviewed in a need-aware process.
