Hamilton College vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,757 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

Hamilton College vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Hamilton College ($19,814 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 3.2% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($17,510 vs. $18,080).
• Hamilton College is 641.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $59,657 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 209.8% higher at Hamilton College than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $46,697 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at Hamilton College (96% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 538.1% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($55,511 vs. $8,699).

Hamilton College vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 280 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at SUNY-ESF (3.7).
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

Hamilton College vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College and SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $32,800 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $3,990 lower median loan debt than SUNY-ESF graduates ($15,760 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY-ESF graduates ($162 vs. $204).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-ESF students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 78%)

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.