Hunter vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY Hunter College in New York, NY with Hamilton College in Clinton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY Hunter College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (22,538 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY Hunter College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• CUNY Hunter College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY Hunter College 14:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Hunter vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hunter 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 CUNY Hunter College than Hamilton College ($4,431 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Hunter College are 32.4% lower than at Hamilton College ($11,832 vs. $17,510).
• Hamilton College is 834.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hunter (about $61,578 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $7,382.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 349.8% higher at Hamilton College than at CUNY Hunter College (about $53,628 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $15,332.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Hunter College than at Hamilton College (87% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 469.1% larger than aid received by CUNY Hunter College students ($55,511 vs. $9,755).

Hunter vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hunter 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 Hunter.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 240 points higher than at Hunter (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY Hunter College 1100/1420; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsHamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hunter - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Hunter (3.7).
• Hunter has a higher acceptance rate (53.8%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Hunter vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Hunter vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hunter 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 CUNY Hunter College's (46%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $30,200 more per year than Hunter graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $48,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Hunter College graduates have a $4,212 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($11,548 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Hunter graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($119 vs. $162).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hunter students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 56%)

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.