Hamilton College vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Hamilton College vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College or RPI? 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 RPI ($28,719 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 3.4% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,510 vs. $18,120).
• Hamilton College is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $4,879 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Hamilton College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $4,879 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Hamilton College (95% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($55,511 vs. $43,517).

Hamilton College vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 60 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Hamilton College vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College and RPI? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $11,740 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($15,760 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($162 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamilton College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.