Hamilton College vs. State University of New York at New Paltz

Comparable Facts

Compare Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with State University of New York at New Paltz in New Paltz, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at New Paltz is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (7,898 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); State University of New York at New Paltz is in New Paltz, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at New Paltz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1.

Hamilton College vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College or State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz than Hamilton College ($18,051 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at New Paltz are 4.7% lower than at Hamilton College ($16,684 vs. $17,510).
• Hamilton College is 704.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than State University of New York at New Paltz (about $60,388 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $8,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 266.4% higher at Hamilton College than at State University of New York at New Paltz (about $50,138 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $18,822.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at State University of New York at New Paltz than at Hamilton College (71% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 450.3% larger than aid received by State University of New York at New Paltz students ($55,511 vs. $10,087).

Hamilton College vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hamilton College or State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz and Hamilton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 240 points higher than at State University of New York at New Paltz (1260).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at State University of New York at New Paltz).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; State University of New York at New Paltz - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at State University of New York at New Paltz (3.6).
• State University of New York at New Paltz has a higher acceptance rate (61.6%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 10.7% at State University of New York at New Paltz.

Hamilton College vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College and State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz's (69%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $31,600 more per year than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $3,240 lower median loan debt than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates ($15,760 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates ($162 vs. $196).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former State University of New York at New Paltz students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 72%)

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.