Hamilton College vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Hamilton College vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($28,719 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 4% lower than at Vassar College ($17,510 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamilton College (about $2,070 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Vassar than at Hamilton College (about $2,070 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Vassar College (56% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($57,443 vs. $55,511).

Hamilton College vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is the same as at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Hamilton College vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $20,600 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $20 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($15,760 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($162 vs. $163).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamilton College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 90%)

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.