BC vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

BC vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC 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 Hamilton College than BC ($28,719 vs. $32,519).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 7.4% lower than at Boston College ($17,510 vs. $18,916).
• Boston College is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamilton College (about $1,742 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at BC than at Hamilton College (about $1,742 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Boston College (56% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($56,971 vs. $55,511).

BC vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC 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 BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 10 points higher than at BC (1490).
• Incoming BC 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: Boston College 1440/1540; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at BC (3.86).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (16.4%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

BC vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC 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).

• Boston College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $3,240 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($15,760 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($162 vs. $196).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamilton College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 90%)

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.