Hampshire College vs. RIC

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampshire College in Amherst, MA with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island College is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (6,155 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

Hampshire College vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire College or RIC? 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 Rhode Island College than Hampshire College ($10,346 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 15.9% lower than at Hampshire College ($13,414 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 421.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIC (about $47,596 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.7% higher at Hampshire College than at Rhode Island College (about $31,597 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $27,299.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College than at Rhode Island College (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 588.1% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($46,145 vs. $6,706).

Hampshire College vs. RIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hampshire College or RIC? 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 RIC and Hampshire College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRhode Island College 870/1120.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; RIC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027; RIC Mar 15, 2027.
• RIC has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Hampshire College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 23.1% at RIC.

Hampshire College vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire College and RIC? 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).

• Hampshire College's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Rhode Island College's (44%).
• Graduates from Rhode Island College earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $2,331 lower median loan debt than Hampshire College graduates ($21,200 vs. $23,531).
• Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hampshire College graduates ($219 vs. $243).
• More Hampshire College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 59%)

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.