Hamilton College vs. F&M

Deciding between Hamilton College and Franklin and Marshall College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Hamilton College
Franklin and Marshall College

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Hamilton College Clinton, NY
  • F&M Lancaster, PA
  • Setting
  • Hamilton College Rural Fringe
  • F&M Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hamilton College 2,031
  • F&M 1,808
  • Type
  • Hamilton College Private 4 Year
  • F&M Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Hamilton College #26
  • F&M #60
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Hamilton College -
  • F&M -
  • Status
  • Hamilton College Non-profit
  • F&M Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Hamilton College
  • F&M
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • F&M $70,794
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • F&M $70,794
  • Room & Board
  • Hamilton College $17,510
  • F&M $16,188
  • Average Net Price
  • Hamilton College $28,719
  • F&M $43,987
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Hamilton College $55,511
  • F&M $41,901
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • F&M 80%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Hamilton College 8,531
  • F&M 9,881
  • Admitted
  • Hamilton College 1,162
  • F&M 2,785
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Hamilton College 13.6%
  • F&M 28.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Hamilton College 39%
  • F&M 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hamilton College 1500
  • F&M 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hamilton College 34
  • F&M 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • Hamilton College 3.87
  • F&M -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Hamilton College A
  • F&M -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Hamilton College Elite
  • F&M Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Hamilton College Very High
  • F&M High
  • ACT Range
  • Hamilton College 33/35
  • F&M 30/33
  • SAT Range
  • Hamilton College 1450/1550
  • F&M 1310/1463
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Hamilton College Test optional
  • F&M Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027
  • F&M Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Hamilton College 9:1
  • F&M 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Hamilton College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • F&M
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • General Studies (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Hamilton College 89%
  • F&M 85%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Hamilton College $79,000
  • F&M $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Hamilton College 90%
  • F&M 88%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Hamilton College $15,760
  • F&M $22,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Hamilton College $162
  • F&M $227
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Hamilton College 44%
  • F&M 49%
  • % Women
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • F&M 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Hamilton College Medium
  • F&M High
  • HBCU
  • Hamilton College No
  • F&M No
  • % White
  • Hamilton College 63%
  • F&M 59%
  • % Asian
  • Hamilton College 7%
  • F&M 5%
  • % Black
  • Hamilton College 5%
  • F&M 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Hamilton College 7%
  • F&M 8%
  • % Native American
  • Hamilton College 0%
  • F&M 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Hamilton College 0%
  • F&M 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Hamilton College 3%
  • F&M 2%
  • % International
  • Hamilton College 6%
  • F&M 14%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Hamilton College 8%
  • F&M 6%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Hamilton College 29%
  • F&M 29%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Hamilton College 62%
  • F&M 55%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • F&M Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • F&M No
  • Meal Plan
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • F&M Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Hamilton College No
  • F&M No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • F&M No

Comparable Facts

Compare Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hamilton College is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (2,031 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Hamilton College vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College or F&M? 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 F&M ($28,719 vs. $43,987).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 7.5% lower than at Hamilton College ($16,188 vs. $17,510).
  • Franklin and Marshall College is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamilton College (about $1,834 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $68,960.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at F&M than at Hamilton College (about $1,834 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $68,960.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at Hamilton College (80% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 32.5% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($55,511 vs. $41,901).

Hamilton College vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hamilton College or F&M? 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 F&M and Hamilton College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 110 points higher than at F&M (1390).
  • Incoming Hamilton College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at F&M).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
  • F&M has a higher acceptance rate (28.2%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Hamilton College vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College and F&M? 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 Franklin and Marshall College's (85%).
  • Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $6,240 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($15,760 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($162 vs. $227).
  • More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former F&M students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 88%)

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.