Hampshire College vs. Plaza College

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampshire College in Amherst, MA with Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Plaza College is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (1,002 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Plaza College is in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Plaza College 28:1.

Hampshire College vs. Plaza College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire College or Plaza 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 Plaza College than Hampshire College ($19,860 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Plaza College are 2.9% lower than at Hampshire College ($15,500 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 281.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Plaza College (about $43,446 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 281.2% higher at Hampshire College than at Plaza College (about $43,446 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College than at Plaza College (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 592.3% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($46,145 vs. $6,665).

Hampshire College vs. Plaza College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; Plaza College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.
• Hampshire College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Plaza College (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 54.9% at Plaza College.

Hampshire College vs. Plaza College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire College and Plaza 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).

• Graduates from Hampshire College earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $9,616 lower median loan debt than Hampshire College graduates ($13,915 vs. $23,531).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hampshire College graduates ($143 vs. $243).
• More Hampshire College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 30%)

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.