UMass vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA with Hamilton College in Clinton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

UMass vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst than Hamilton College ($22,948 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 4.6% lower than at Hamilton College ($16,710 vs. $17,510).
• Hamilton College is 288% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $51,188 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.5% higher at Hamilton College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $28,511 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Hamilton College (81% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 323.4% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($55,511 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 90 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

UMass vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $23,800 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $8,240 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($15,760 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($162 vs. $248).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 76%)

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.