SCSU vs. Hampshire College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Hampshire College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Hampshire College is in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Hampshire College 13:1.

SCSU vs. Hampshire College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or Hampshire 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 Southern Connecticut State University than Hampshire College ($19,827 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Connecticut State University are 6.4% lower than at Hampshire College ($14,938 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 338.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCSU (about $45,458 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $13,438.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.1% higher at Hampshire College than at Southern Connecticut State University (about $31,518 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $27,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College than at Southern Connecticut State University (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 362.5% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($46,145 vs. $9,977).

SCSU vs. Hampshire College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU or Hampshire 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 Hampshire College and SCSU.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; Hampshire College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.
• SCSU has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Hampshire College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 14.4% at Hampshire College.

SCSU vs. Hampshire College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and Hampshire 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).

• Hampshire College's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Southern Connecticut State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Connecticut State University graduates have a $281 lower median loan debt than Hampshire College graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,531).
• Among borrowers, SCSU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hampshire College graduates ($240 vs. $243).
• More Hampshire College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCSU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 62%)

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.