Amherst vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Hamilton College in Clinton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hamilton College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,031 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Amherst vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Hamilton College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Hamilton College ($19,049 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 4.8% lower than at Amherst College ($17,510 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamilton College (about $1,520 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Amherst than at Hamilton College (about $1,520 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Hamilton College (59% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 23.6% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($68,591 vs. $55,511).

Amherst vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Hamilton College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Hamilton College and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 40 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Hamilton College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Amherst vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Hamilton College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $2,785 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($12,975 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($134 vs. $162).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.