Hampshire College vs. Peirce College

Comparable Facts

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

Peirce College is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (929 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Peirce College is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Peirce College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Peirce College 13:1.

Hampshire College vs. Peirce College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire College or Peirce College? 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 Peirce College than Hampshire College ($13,290 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Peirce College are 44.9% lower than at Hampshire College ($8,800 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 291.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Peirce College (about $43,836 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 291.1% higher at Hampshire College than at Peirce College (about $43,836 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College as at Peirce College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 759.3% larger than aid received by Peirce College students ($46,145 vs. $5,370).

Hampshire College vs. Peirce College Admissions comparison

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

• Peirce College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; Peirce College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.

Hampshire College vs. Peirce College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Hampshire College's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Peirce College's (27%).
• Graduates from Peirce College earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have a $12,594 lower median loan debt than Peirce College graduates ($23,531 vs. $36,125).
• Among borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Peirce College graduates ($243 vs. $373).
• More Hampshire College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peirce College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 32%)

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.