Columbia vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Hamilton College in Clinton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Columbia vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Hamilton College ($22,520 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 0.4% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($17,510 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamilton College (about $2,885 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Columbia than at Hamilton College (about $2,885 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (56% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 20.7% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($67,010 vs. $55,511).

Columbia vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 50 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Columbia 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: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Columbia vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $28,600 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $5,740 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($15,760 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($162 vs. $222).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia 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.