Hamilton’s endowment is $931 million (see link below), which works out to about $502,000 per student when divided into their current enrollment of 1,850 students. So on a per student basis it is about 90% more than Colgate’s or close to double.
https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/hechinger-report-features-interview-with-president-stewart
I am not knocking Colgate, it is an excellent school. However, according to every metric (except sports and frats), Hamilton is just a little better. Compare any of the following: Avg SAT scores, graduation rates, percent of returning students, percent that donate to their alma matter, avg class size, % in top 10%… every metric. Don’t take my word for it, go check it out.
Also, Hamilton is only one of 46 colleges and universities in the nation that has a need-blind admissions policy and they meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated need. Colgate aspires to be but is not there yet. It is the larger endowment that makes this possible.
Lastly, Hamilton is ranked #15 whereas Colgate is ranked #22 in the most recent US News & World Report rankings of national liberal arts colleges.