Hamilton College vs. Syracuse

Deciding between Hamilton College and Syracuse University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Hamilton College
Syracuse University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Hamilton College Clinton, NY
  • Syracuse Syracuse, NY
  • Setting
  • Hamilton College Rural Fringe
  • Syracuse Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hamilton College 2,031
  • Syracuse 22,589
  • Type
  • Hamilton College Private 4 Year
  • Syracuse Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Hamilton College #26
  • Syracuse #158
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Hamilton College -
  • Syracuse -
  • Status
  • Hamilton College Non-profit
  • Syracuse Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Hamilton College
  • Syracuse

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • Room & Board
  • Hamilton College $17,510
  • Syracuse $19,188
  • Average Net Price
  • Hamilton College $28,719
  • Syracuse $48,215
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Hamilton College $55,511
  • Syracuse $36,417
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • Syracuse 76%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Hamilton College 8,531
  • Syracuse 44,480
  • Admitted
  • Hamilton College 1,162
  • Syracuse 20,427
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Hamilton College 13.6%
  • Syracuse 45.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Hamilton College 39%
  • Syracuse 18.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hamilton College 1500
  • Syracuse 1360
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hamilton College 34
  • Syracuse 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Hamilton College 3.87
  • Syracuse 3.69
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Hamilton College A
  • Syracuse A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Hamilton College Elite
  • Syracuse Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Hamilton College Very High
  • Syracuse Low
  • ACT Range
  • Hamilton College 33/35
  • Syracuse 29/32
  • SAT Range
  • Hamilton College 1450/1550
  • Syracuse 1270/1440
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Hamilton College Test optional
  • Syracuse Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027
  • Syracuse Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Hamilton College 9:1
  • Syracuse 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Hamilton College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Syracuse
    • Business (18%)
    • Communication (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Hamilton College 89%
  • Syracuse 80%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Hamilton College $79,000
  • Syracuse $65,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Hamilton College 90%
  • Syracuse 80%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Hamilton College $15,760
  • Syracuse $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Hamilton College $162
  • Syracuse $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Hamilton College 44%
  • Syracuse 44%
  • % Women
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • Syracuse 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Hamilton College Medium
  • Syracuse High
  • HBCU
  • Hamilton College No
  • Syracuse No
  • % White
  • Hamilton College 63%
  • Syracuse 55%
  • % Asian
  • Hamilton College 7%
  • Syracuse 8%
  • % Black
  • Hamilton College 5%
  • Syracuse 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Hamilton College 7%
  • Syracuse 11%
  • % Native American
  • Hamilton College 0%
  • Syracuse 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Hamilton College 0%
  • Syracuse 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Hamilton College 3%
  • Syracuse 3%
  • % International
  • Hamilton College 6%
  • Syracuse 12%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Hamilton College 8%
  • Syracuse 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Hamilton College 29%
  • Syracuse 31%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Hamilton College 62%
  • Syracuse 63%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • Syracuse Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • Syracuse No
  • Meal Plan
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • Syracuse Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Hamilton College No
  • Syracuse Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • Syracuse Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Syracuse University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (22,589 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Syracuse University is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
  • Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Syracuse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; Syracuse University 15:1.

Hamilton College vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College or Syracuse? 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 Syracuse ($28,719 vs. $48,215).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 8.7% lower than at Syracuse University ($17,510 vs. $19,188).
  • Hamilton College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Syracuse (about $3,432 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $65,528.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Hamilton College than at Syracuse University (about $3,432 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $65,528.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Syracuse University than at Hamilton College (76% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 52.4% larger than aid received by Syracuse University students ($55,511 vs. $36,417).

Hamilton College vs. Syracuse Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 140 points higher than at Syracuse (1360).
  • Incoming Hamilton College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Syracuse).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Syracuse University 1270/1440.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Syracuse University 29/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; Syracuse - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; Syracuse Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Syracuse (3.69).
  • Syracuse has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 18.8% at Syracuse.

Hamilton College vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College and Syracuse? 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 Syracuse University's (80%).
  • Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Syracuse graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $65,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $11,240 lower median loan debt than Syracuse graduates ($15,760 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Syracuse graduates ($162 vs. $279).
  • More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Syracuse students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 80%)

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.