Hamilton College vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Hamilton College vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon ($28,719 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 3.6% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($17,510 vs. $18,166).
• Hamilton College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $2,714 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Hamilton College than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $2,714 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Carnegie Mellon University (56% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 15.4% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($55,511 vs. $48,107).

Hamilton College vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hamilton College or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon and Hamilton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 40 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Carnegie Mellon (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Hamilton College vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College and Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $23,700 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $10,490 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($15,760 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($162 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamilton College students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.