Gustavus Adolphus College vs Hobart William Smith Colleges
Gustavus Adolphus College and Hobart William Smith Colleges, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Gustavus, rooted in the Lutheran tradition, boasts a higher acceptance rate (65%) compared to HWS's selective admissions (33%). While HWS students hail from more diverse backgrounds, Gustavus fosters a tight-knit community with a lower student-faculty ratio. Both colleges excel in academics, with popular majors like biology, psychology, and economics. However, HWS offers a wider range of graduate programs. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more about these colleges' graduation rates, financial aid opportunities, and vibrant campus cultures, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Gustavus Adolphus College |
![]() Hobart William Smith Colleges |
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Overview |
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Location | Saint Peter, Minnesota | Geneva, New York |
Campus setting | Town: Fringe | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 91.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 72.6% | 67.4% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | 1170 - 1370 |
ACT range | 26 - 31 | 26 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 23.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 28.0% | 8.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,799 | 3,752 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,757 | 2,530 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 551 | 367 |
Yield rate | 20.0% | 14.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $63,270 | $77,115 |
Average net price | $27,657 | $34,239 |
Tuition | $49,950 | $58,990 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,750
Meal plan:
$3,950
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Room/dormitory:
$8,610
Meal plan:
$7,800
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $33,174 |
92.0%
Average amount $42,187 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
49.0%
Average amount $6,197 |
64.0%
Average amount $5,304 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $14,100 |
7.0%
Average amount $16,946 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,251
Men 43.6% Women 56.4% |
1,660
Men 48.3% Women 51.7% |
Graduate students | N/A |
24
Men 54.2% Women 45.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 19.2% | 56.2% |
International students | 3.6% | 6.8% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Fringe | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 2,125 | 1,829 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota Wisconsin South Dakota Texas Illinois | New York Mississippi New Jersey Connecticut California |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 78.4% | 73.1% |
Dropout rate | 9.3% | 22.7% |
Transferred out | 12.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Compare Similar Colleges
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