Willamette University vs Colgate University
Willamette University and Colgate University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Willamette, nestled in Salem, Oregon, boasts a higher acceptance rate (69%) compared to Colgate's selective admissions (26%). While Colgate's student body is slightly larger, both universities share a commitment to small class sizes, fostering personalized learning environments. Willamette excels in liberal arts and sciences, with popular majors including psychology, biology, and economics, while Colgate offers strengths in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Discover more key differences, including graduation rates, financial aid opportunities, and campus culture, in the comprehensive comparison table below to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Colgate University |
![]() Willamette University |
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Overview |
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Location | Hamilton, New York | Salem, Oregon |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 93.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 17.2% | 79.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1350 - 1500 | N/A |
ACT range | 32 - 34 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 29.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 17,540 | 3,680 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,015 | 2,930 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 887 | 260 |
Yield rate | 29.4% | 8.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $80,160 | $60,106 |
Average net price | $24,500 | $37,400 |
Tuition | $61,594 | $43,500 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,496
Meal plan:
$8,028
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Room/dormitory:
$7,150
Meal plan:
$6,650
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
41.0%
Average amount $53,718 |
99.0%
Average amount $30,413 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
11.0%
Average amount $4,253 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,145 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $34,492 |
7.0%
Average amount $15,973 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,164
Men 45.0% Women 55.0% |
1,236
Men 42.2% Women 57.8% |
Graduate students |
12
Men 41.7% Women 58.3% |
549
Men 49.2% Women 50.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 75.2% | N/A |
International students | 8.8% | 2.4% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 2,972 | 1,228 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York New Jersey Connecticut California Pennsylvania | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 90.3% | 72.0% |
Dropout rate | 2.8% | 28.0% |
Transferred out | 6.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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