Hampshire College vs. Bennington

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampshire College in Amherst, MA with Bennington College in Bennington, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bennington College is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (927 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Bennington College is in Bennington, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bennington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Bennington College 9:1.

Hampshire College vs. Bennington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire College or Bennington? 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 Hampshire College than Bennington ($27,895 vs. $34,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hampshire College are 16.5% lower than at Bennington College ($15,958 vs. $19,108).
• Bennington College is 12.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hampshire College (about $7,366 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $58,896.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.5% higher at Bennington than at Hampshire College (about $7,366 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $58,896.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College as at Bennington College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bennington College students is 15% larger than aid received by Hampshire College students ($53,064 vs. $46,145).

Hampshire College vs. Bennington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hampshire College or Bennington? 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 Bennington and Hampshire College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBennington College 1291/1403.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBennington College 30/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; Bennington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027; Bennington Jan 15, 2027.
• Hampshire College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Bennington (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 11.5% at Bennington.

Hampshire College vs. Bennington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire College and Bennington? 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).

• Bennington College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Hampshire College's (61%).
• Graduates from Hampshire College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have a $2,469 lower median loan debt than Bennington graduates ($23,531 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bennington graduates ($243 vs. $268).
• More Bennington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hampshire College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 72%)

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.