Vassar College vs Hillsdale College
Vassar College and Hillsdale College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand apart in their unique offerings and distinct academic environments. Vassar, a liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, New York, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on interdisciplinary studies, while Hillsdale, a private liberal arts college in Hillsdale, Michigan, emphasizes a classical education rooted in the Western tradition. With acceptance rates of 28% and 48%, respectively, both colleges offer a rigorous and challenging academic experience. While Vassar students commonly pursue majors in the social sciences, arts, and humanities, Hillsdale students often gravitate towards majors in the natural sciences, business, and pre-professional programs. Discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences by exploring the comprehensive comparison table below.
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![]() Hillsdale College |
![]() Vassar College |
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Overview |
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Location | Hillsdale, Michigan | Poughkeepsie, New York |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 94.0% | 95.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Undenominational | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 23.7% | 20.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$25
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Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | 1340 - 1510 | 1420 - 1540 |
ACT range | 30 - 34 | 32 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 22.0% | 31.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 38.0% | 20.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,994 | 10,884 |
Total number of admissions given out | 709 | 2,193 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 397 | 679 |
Yield rate | 56.0% | 31.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | 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 | $45,382 | $81,330 |
Average net price | $24,057 | $27,249 |
Tuition | $28,730 | $61,940 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,020
Meal plan:
$6,120
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$15,710 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $20,535 |
57.0%
Average amount $49,162 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
46.0%
Average amount $3,729 |
Students taking out private loans |
34.0%
Average amount $10,497 |
4.0%
Average amount $14,435 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,515
Men 50.6% Women 49.4% |
2,516
Men 38.4% Women 61.6% |
Graduate students |
87
Men 67.8% Women 32.2% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity | N/A |
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | N/A | 8.4% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,124 | 2,448 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | 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 | 8:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 87.6% | 92.5% |
Dropout rate | 8.3% | 5.6% |
Transferred out | 3.9% | 2.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | N/A |
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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