Cornell vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cornell vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell 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 Cornell University than Hamilton College ($26,361 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 9.9% lower than at Cornell University ($17,510 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamilton College (about $354 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Cornell than at Hamilton College (about $354 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Cornell University (56% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($61,779 vs. $55,511).

Cornell vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell 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 Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 40 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Cornell 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: Cornell University 1500/1570; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Cornell vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell 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).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $19,400 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $3,760 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($12,000 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($124 vs. $162).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 87%)

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.