Hampshire College vs Hamilton College
Hampshire College and Hamilton College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Hampshire, known for its innovative approach, boasts a 45% acceptance rate, while Hamilton's selectivity is reflected in its 15% acceptance rate. Hampshire's student body is diverse, with 45% identifying as students of color, compared to Hamilton's 28%. While both colleges offer a range of majors, Hampshire emphasizes interdisciplinary studies, allowing students to design their own programs, while Hamilton's curriculum is more traditional, with popular majors including Economics, Government, and English. With a graduation rate of 83%, Hampshire empowers students to pursue their passions, while Hamilton's 94% graduation rate speaks to its rigorous academic standards. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these exceptional colleges and find the one that aligns best with your aspirations.
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![]() Hamilton College |
![]() Hampshire College |
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Overview |
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Location | Clinton, New York | Amherst, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 94.0% | 72.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 14.1% | 75.1% |
Application fees | $60 | |
SAT range | 1410 - 1540 | N/A |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 9,380 | 1,340 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,320 | 1,007 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 533 | 133 |
Yield rate | 40.4% | 13.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not 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 | $76,700 | $66,658 |
Average net price | $26,803 | $30,168 |
Tuition | $59,380 | $51,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,320
Meal plan:
$6,910
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Room/dormitory:
$8,520
Meal plan:
$5,912
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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 |
100.0%
Average amount $36,653 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
35.0%
Average amount $4,331 |
64.0%
Average amount $4,793 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $25,195 |
1.0%
Average amount $8,793 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,055
Men 45.8% Women 54.2% |
472
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 6.8% | 6.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,057 | 1,180 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.5% | 62.4% |
Dropout rate | 0.8% | 37.3% |
Transferred out | 6.8% | N/A |
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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Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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