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Hamilton College

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY · Suburb · 2,030 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Jan 4 · Regular Decision · in 94 days
Checked Sep 2026 · hamilton.edu
$28,985
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
91%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$78,411
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
14%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Best known for its completely open curriculum, Hamilton College offers students total academic freedom to design their own course of study without general distribution requirements. The college places a signature emphasis on written and oral communication, pairing rigorous faculty mentorship with standout programs in economics, government, creative writing, and the natural sciences. Located on a picturesque hilltop in Clinton, New York, Hamilton features a tight-knit, residential community where student life revolves around collaborative research, NESCAC athletics, and an active outdoor culture. This unique combination of radical academic autonomy and intensive, practical skill-building in writing and public speaking sets Hamilton apart from other elite liberal arts colleges.

Wikipedia:Hamilton College is a private liberal arts college in Clinton, New York, United States. It was established in 1812 in honor of Alexander Hamilton, one of its inaugural trustees, following a proposal made after his death in 1804. Since 1978, Hamilton has been a coeducational institution, having merged with its sister school, Kirkland College.

Location
Clinton, NY, 13323 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SYR · Syracuse
35 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$68,960
Housing & food (on campus)$17,510
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$95,250
Average net price$28,985
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$68,960
Housing & food (on campus)$17,510
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$95,250
Average net price$28,985
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.hamilton.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Hamilton College’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$75,210
Fees$750
Housing$10,540
Food$8,750
Books & supplies$800
Personal expenses$1,000
Transportation$1,800
Total published by the school$95,250
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$8,028
$30–48k
$9,489
$48–75k
$10,863
$75–110k
$20,614
$110k+
$46,907
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
91%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
80%
Back for yr 2
95%
Transferred
7%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
92% graduated · 7% transferred · 1% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$60,082
10 yrs after entry$78,411
Debt
Median at graduation$17,000
Monthly payment$180
Middle 50% owe$8.8k–$20.9k
90th percentile$26,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
14%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1506
R 720–770 · M 730–780
ACT midpoint
34
Comp 33–35
SAT middle 50%: 1450–1550
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Regular Decision
Jan 4 2027
in 94 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · hamilton.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Hamilton College: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Hamilton College's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If Hamilton College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 44%Women 56%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
9 : 1
Pell grant
18%
First-gen
13%
Family income
$83,853
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
62%
Hispanic
10%
Black
3%
Asian
9%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
8%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Squash
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$60,082
After 10 yrs
$78,411
Economics97
Mathematics53
Biology, General32
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics31
Research and Experimental Psychology30
Political Science and Government30
Fine and Studio Arts27
International Relations and National Security Studies25
Computer and Information Sciences, General24
Neurobiology and Neurosciences24
History23
Physics21
Public Policy Analysis20
Natural Resources Conservation and Research19
Literature19
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology16
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.4B
Full-time faculty
76%
Faculty salary
$12,404/mo
Teaching spend
$31,938
per student
Federal loans
29%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Research activity
Research college or university
$4M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Hamilton College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search