Hamilton College vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Hamilton College vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Hamilton College ($23,570 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 8.7% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($17,510 vs. $19,174).
• Hamilton College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn (about $274 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Hamilton College than at University of Pennsylvania (about $274 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at University of Pennsylvania (56% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 17.9% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($65,458 vs. $55,511).

Hamilton College vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 40 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Hamilton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 68% at Penn.

Hamilton College vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $44,600 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $4,873 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($15,760 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($162 vs. $213).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 84%)

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.