MHC vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

MHC vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than MHC ($18,211 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 16.5% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($16,436 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 648.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $58,065 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 249% higher at MHC than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $47,815 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at SUNY at Purchase College (77% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 402.5% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($52,418 vs. $10,432).

MHC vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC or Purchase 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 Purchase College and MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 180 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming MHC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

MHC vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC and Purchase 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).

• Mount Holyoke College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Mount Holyoke College earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $1,294 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($21,206 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($219 vs. $232).
• More MHC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 65%)

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.