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Houghton University

Houghton University

Houghton, NY · Rural · 753 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$20,519
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
65%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$46,721
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
89%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Houghton University is a private, Wesleyan-affiliated liberal arts institution in rural Western New York, best known for integrating a Christ-centered world view with rigorous academic preparation. The university's strongest programs include pre-medical sciences, music, education, and a nationally recognized equestrian studies department. Student life is close-knit and faith-driven, centered around regular chapel gatherings, an active residential community, and abundant outdoor recreation in the surrounding Genesee Valley. Houghton uniquely distinguishes itself through its commitment to financial accessibility—demonstrated by a major tuition reduction initiative—and its premier, on-campus equestrian center that offers rare undergraduate opportunities in equine science and management.

Wikipedia:Houghton University is a private Christian liberal arts college in Houghton, New York, United States. Houghton was founded in 1883 by Willard J. Houghton and is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church. Houghton serves roughly 1000 students and has 54 degree majors for primarily undergraduate students.

Location
Houghton, NY, 14744 · Rural campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BUF · Buffalo
46 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$18,430
Housing & food (on campus)$11,360
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$38,760
Average net price$20,519
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$18,430
Housing & food (on campus)$11,360
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$38,760
Average net price$20,519
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.houghton.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Houghton University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$24,830
Fees$790
Housing$13,140
Total published by the school$38,760
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$19,147
$30–48k
$18,503
$48–75k
$19,312
$75–110k
$19,974
$110k+
$22,424
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
65%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
55%
Back for yr 2
84%
Transferred
8%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
71% graduated · 21% transferred · 8% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$36,376
10 yrs after entry$46,721
Debt
Median at graduation$25,250
Monthly payment$268
Middle 50% owe$9k–$27k
90th percentile$32,000
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
89%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1284
R 600–695 · M 570–680
ACT midpoint
26
Comp 26–31 · E 28–33 · M 26–29
SAT middle 50%: 1170–1375
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Houghton University 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 40%Women 60%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
28%
First-gen
17%
Family income
$60,483
Independent
11%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
4%
Race & ethnicity
White
76%
Hispanic
2%
Black
5%
Asian
1%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
7%
AI/AN
1%
Unknown
6%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$36,376
After 10 yrs
$46,721
Biology, General29
Business Administration, Management and Operations25
Psychology, General22
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods20
Communication and Media Studies15
History13
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies12
Music8
Area Studies6
Computer and Information Sciences, General6
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies6
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology6
Mathematics6
Theological and Ministerial Studies6
Political Science and Government6
Accounting and Related Services6
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$81M
Full-time faculty
61%
Faculty salary
$6,614/mo
Teaching spend
$11,627
per student
Federal loans
48%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

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