MHC vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with Hamilton College in Clinton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Holyoke College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

MHC vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 Hamilton College than MHC ($28,719 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 11% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($17,510 vs. $19,684).
• Hamilton College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $1,942 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Hamilton College than at Mount Holyoke College (about $1,942 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Hamilton College (77% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($55,511 vs. $52,418).

MHC vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 40 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at MHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have the same average high school GPA (3.87) as students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

MHC vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $29,000 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $5,446 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($15,760 vs. $21,206).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($162 vs. $219).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 77%)

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.