Differences/Similarities/Distinguishing Attributes (fairly random)
By average SAT score middle ranges (Colgate: 1280-1470; Middlebury: 1260-1270) these colleges are nearly identical, so by this measurement they are natural overlap schools.
Both schools appear to have extremely strong economics departments, based on faculty publishing. Middlebury places 3rd out of 196 schools, Colgate 8th.
Colgate’s village was ranked by Forbes as one of America’s Friendliest Towns. The campus itself is one of the country’s most beautiful.
Colgate is a PR “Top 10 Party School.” Both schools appear in other PR categories, which is worth researching.
Colgate has residential fraternities and offers athletic scholarships.
Middlebury comes closer to the classic LAC size that partly defines the category, and also has participatory oriented D3 athletics.
(Sources: USNWR; “Economics Departments at Liberal Arts Colleges” / IDEAS.)