Hamilton College vs SUNY New Paltz
Hamilton College and State University of New York at New Paltz, two distinct institutions with unique offerings, present prospective students with a choice between a private liberal arts college and a public university. Hamilton, known for its rigorous academics and strong alumni network, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 14%, while New Paltz, with its diverse student body and wide range of academic programs, offers a more accessible route to higher education with an acceptance rate of 54%. While both colleges share a commitment to academic excellence, their student demographics and popular majors diverge, with Hamilton excelling in the social sciences and humanities and New Paltz excelling in the arts and education. Additionally, Hamilton's graduation rate of 94% outpaces New Paltz's 68%, indicating a higher likelihood of degree completion for students who choose Hamilton. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Hamilton College |
![]() State University of New York at New Paltz |
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Overview |
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Location | Clinton, New York | New Paltz, New York |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 94.0% | 82.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 14.1% | 46.1% |
Application fees | $60 |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1410 - 1540 | 1150 - 1318 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 24 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | 18.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | 4.0% |
Total number of applicants | 9,380 | 12,482 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,320 | 5,759 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 533 | 1,133 |
Yield rate | 40.4% | 19.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $76,700 |
In state:
$27,387
Out of state:
$37,297
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Average net price | $26,803 | $15,318 |
Tuition | $59,380 |
In state:
$7,070
Out of state:
$16,980
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,320
Meal plan:
$6,910
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Room/dormitory:
$9,494
Meal plan:
$5,000
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
55.0%
Average amount $47,867 |
64.0%
Average amount $10,509 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
35.0%
Average amount $4,331 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,206 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $25,195 |
4.0%
Average amount $13,431 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,055
Men 45.8% Women 54.2% |
6,256
Men 36.5% Women 63.5% |
Graduate students | N/A |
819
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 2.8% |
International students | 6.8% | 2.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,057 | 3,198 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | New York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania Mississippi |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.5% | 73.3% |
Dropout rate | 0.8% | 5.4% |
Transferred out | 6.8% | 20.3% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
Research and Experimental Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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