Hamilton College vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

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

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (6,938 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 Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Hamilton College vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College or SUNY Cortland? 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 Cortland than Hamilton College ($19,847 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 11.1% lower than at Hamilton College ($15,560 vs. $17,510).
• Hamilton College is 677.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $60,086 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 267.1% higher at Hamilton College than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $50,176 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at State University of New York at Cortland than at Hamilton College (63% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 572.5% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($55,511 vs. $8,254).

Hamilton College vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 330 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• SUNY Cortland has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Hamilton College vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College and SUNY Cortland? 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 Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $31,700 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $5,740 lower median loan debt than SUNY Cortland graduates ($15,760 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Cortland graduates ($162 vs. $222).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland 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.