Hampshire College vs. Plymouth

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampshire College in Amherst, MA with Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Plymouth State University is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (3,707 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Plymouth State University is in Plymouth, NH (Remote Town setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Plymouth State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Plymouth State University 15:1.

Hampshire College vs. Plymouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire College or Plymouth? 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 Plymouth State University than Hampshire College ($20,183 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Plymouth State University are 17.5% lower than at Hampshire College ($13,158 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 302.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Plymouth (about $44,270 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $14,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.4% higher at Hampshire College than at Plymouth State University (about $33,330 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $25,566.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College as at Plymouth State University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 318% larger than aid received by Plymouth State University students ($46,145 vs. $11,039).

Hampshire College vs. Plymouth Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; Plymouth - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027; Plymouth Apr 1, 2027.
• Plymouth has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Hampshire College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 13.7% at Plymouth.

Hampshire College vs. Plymouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire College and Plymouth? 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 Plymouth State University's (59%).
• Graduates from Plymouth State University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have a $3,469 lower median loan debt than Plymouth graduates ($23,531 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Plymouth graduates ($243 vs. $279).
• More Plymouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hampshire College students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.