Amherst vs. Hamilton College

Amherst College and Hamilton College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Hamilton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 13.6%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1500.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $28,719 at Hamilton College.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Hamilton College 89%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Hamilton College $79,000 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Hamilton College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Hamilton College13.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Hamilton College1450-1550
Average net price
Amherst $9,670 less
Amherst$19,049
Hamilton College$28,719
In-state tuition
Hamilton College $1,520 less
Amherst$70,480
Hamilton College$68,960
Out-of-state tuition
Hamilton College $1,520 less
Amherst$70,480
Hamilton College$68,960
Graduation rate
Amherst +7 pts
Amherst96%
Hamilton College89%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$3,000
Amherst$82,000
Hamilton College$79,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Hamilton College 8,531
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Hamilton College 1,162
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Hamilton College 13.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Hamilton College 39%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Hamilton College 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Hamilton College 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Hamilton College 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Hamilton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Hamilton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Hamilton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Hamilton College 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Hamilton College 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Hamilton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Hamilton College $17,510
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Hamilton College $28,719
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Hamilton College $55,511
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Hamilton College 89%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Hamilton College $79,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Hamilton College 90%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Hamilton College $15,760
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Hamilton College $162
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Hamilton College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Hamilton College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Hamilton College Clinton, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Hamilton College Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Hamilton College 2,031
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Hamilton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Hamilton College #26

Comparable Facts

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

Hamilton College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,031 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 4.8% lower than at Amherst College ($17,510 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Amherst than at Hamilton College (about $1,520 more per year; $70,480 vs. $68,960).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Hamilton College (59% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 23.6% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($68,591 vs. $55,511).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Hamilton College (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Hamilton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Hamilton College (3.87).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $2,785 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($12,975 vs. $15,760).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($134 vs. $162).
  • More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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