BU vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BU vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU 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 Boston University than Hamilton College ($24,420 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 7.9% lower than at Boston University ($17,510 vs. $19,020).
• Hamilton College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than BU (about $858 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Hamilton College than at Boston University (about $858 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,102.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Boston University (56% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 11.4% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($61,848 vs. $55,511).

BU vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU 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 BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 20 points higher than at BU (1480).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at BU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at BU (3.79).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

BU vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Boston University's (85%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than BU graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $72,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $11,240 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($15,760 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($162 vs. $279).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 82%)

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.