Fitchburg State vs. Hampshire College

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Hampshire College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Hampshire College is in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Hampshire College 13:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Hampshire College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Hampshire 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 Fitchburg State University than Hampshire College ($15,340 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 3.2% lower than at Hampshire College ($15,452 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 419.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $47,550 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 238% higher at Hampshire College than at Fitchburg State University (about $41,470 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College than at Fitchburg State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 299.9% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($46,145 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Hampshire College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Hampshire 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 Hampshire College and Fitchburg State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Hampshire College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Hampshire College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 14.4% at Hampshire College.

Fitchburg State vs. Hampshire College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Hampshire 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).

• Hampshire College's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $846 lower median loan debt than Hampshire College graduates ($22,685 vs. $23,531).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hampshire College graduates ($234 vs. $243).
• More Hampshire College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 65%)

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.