MIT vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Hamilton College in Clinton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

MIT vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Hamilton 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Hamilton College ($20,996 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 13.7% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($17,510 vs. $20,280).
• Hamilton College is 10.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $6,564 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at Hamilton College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $6,564 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at Hamilton College (59% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($61,734 vs. $55,511).

MIT vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 50 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming MIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Hamilton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

MIT vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Hamilton 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).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $63,100 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $1,556 lower median loan debt than MIT graduates ($15,760 vs. $17,316).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIT graduates ($162 vs. $179).
• More MIT 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.