MHC vs. University of Puget Sound

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Holyoke College is larger than University of Puget Sound based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 1,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); University of Puget Sound is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Puget Sound is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; University of Puget Sound 10:1.

MHC vs. University of Puget Sound Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC or University of Puget Sound? 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 Mount Holyoke College than University of Puget Sound ($32,526 vs. $43,188).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Puget Sound are 16.2% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($16,498 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Puget Sound (about $4,120 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $62,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at MHC than at University of Puget Sound (about $4,120 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $62,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Puget Sound than at Mount Holyoke College (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 49% larger than aid received by University of Puget Sound students ($52,418 vs. $35,179).

MHC vs. University of Puget Sound Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC or University of Puget Sound? 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 University of Puget Sound and MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 180 points higher than at University of Puget Sound (1280).
• Incoming MHC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at University of Puget Sound).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; University of Puget Sound 1170/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; University of Puget Sound 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; University of Puget Sound - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; University of Puget Sound Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at University of Puget Sound (3.56).
• University of Puget Sound has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 11.4% at University of Puget Sound.

MHC vs. University of Puget Sound Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC and University of Puget Sound? 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 University of Puget Sound's (73%).
• Graduates from University of Puget Sound earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $5,794 lower median loan debt than University of Puget Sound graduates ($21,206 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Puget Sound graduates ($219 vs. $279).
• More University of Puget Sound graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.