Hamilton College vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

Compare Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

Hamilton College vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College or RIT ? 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 RIT ($28,719 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 7.8% lower than at Hamilton College ($16,142 vs. $17,510).
• Hamilton College is 16.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $9,686 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.3% higher at Hamilton College than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $9,686 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Hamilton College (98% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 58.3% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($55,511 vs. $35,077).

Hamilton College vs. RIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 120 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; RIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 16.3% at RIT .

Hamilton College vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College and RIT ? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $12,240 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($15,760 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($162 vs. $289).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 75%)

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.