Princeton vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with Hamilton College in Clinton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Princeton University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Princeton vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Hamilton College ($15,313 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 13.5% lower than at Princeton University ($17,510 vs. $20,250).
• Hamilton College is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $6,272 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Hamilton College than at Princeton University (about $6,272 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Hamilton College (67% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 23.8% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($68,727 vs. $55,511).

Princeton vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 50 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Princeton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Hamilton College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Princeton vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $34,900 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $8,260 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($7,500 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($77 vs. $162).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 83%)

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.