Yale vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Hamilton College in Clinton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Yale University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Yale vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale University than Hamilton College ($22,408 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 12% lower than at Yale University ($17,510 vs. $19,900).
• Hamilton College is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Yale (about $1,710 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Hamilton College than at Yale University (about $1,710 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Yale University as at Hamilton College (56% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($65,892 vs. $55,511).

Yale vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 20 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Yale 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: Yale University 1470/1570; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Yale vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $39,400 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $2,260 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($13,500 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($139 vs. $162).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 84%)

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.