Houghton University campus

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Houghton University

  • 6/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Houghton, NY
  • 3.5 2 reviews
#43 Best Private Colleges in New York
Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

1,200
Houghton University overview
Houghton University overview
  • Size Small
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Houghton College is a private Christian liberal arts institution located in rural western New York State, situated approximately 65 miles southeast of Buffalo in Allegany County. The college's 1,300-acre campus features a blend of historic Georgian Colonial architecture and modern facilities set in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. Founded in 1883 by the Wesleyan Methodist Church (now Wesleyan Church), Houghton maintains its Christian liberal arts tradition while operating as a selective undergraduate institution. The college offers more than 50 academic programs, with particular strengths in music, education, science, and business administration. Students are required to live on campus for their first three years, with housing options including traditional residence halls and apartment-style living arrangements.

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Ratings

Houghton University is rated within the top 43% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    6 out of 10
  • Academics
    8 out of 10
  • Resources
    7 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    6 out of 10
  • Value
    5 out of 10
Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Houghton University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult
Houghton University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1170/1375
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 26/31
  • GPA 3.25

Acceptance Rate

88.7%
Houghton University applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 23.2%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$18,430
Costs for Houghton University
Fee Cost
Tuition $18,430
Books and Supplies $1,000
Other Fees $630
Room and Board $11,360
Budget for Other Expenses $4,150
Total One Year Cost $35,570
View Tuition & Financial Aid Details

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$44,300 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

68% within 6 years
View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Houghton University are Business, Education, and Visual and Performing Arts. 23% of students major in Business, 15% in Education, and 7% in Visual and Performing Arts.

  • Business 23%
  • Education 15%
  • Visual and Performing Arts 7%
  • Biology 7%
  • Psychology 7%
View All 35 Majors

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Houghton University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=191676.

GPA calculator: Houghton University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026