Hamilton College Admission Requirements

10/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Clinton, NY
5.0 1 review

#3 Best Colleges in New York

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Hamilton College Admission Overview

Hamilton College admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in New York. Last year Hamilton College admitted 13.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1450-1550 / ACT 33-35. Hamilton College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Hamilton College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Hamilton College Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

13.6%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Hamilton College acceptance rate is 13.6%. Last year, only 1,162 of 8,531 applicants were admitted. That is the 8th lowest acceptance rate in New York and the 54th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Hamilton College and can you get accepted?

Hamilton College is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 39% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Hamilton College GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.87*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.87*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Hamilton College has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.87 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.87 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Hamilton College is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*3.87 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Hamilton College SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1450-1550

Freshmen who sent SAT

34%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 720
Math 730
Composite 1450

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 770
Math 780
Composite 1550

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Hamilton College typically score around a 1500 SAT (middle 50% 1450–1550) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Hamilton College ranks #6 in the state of New York and #39 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1450 to 1550

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1450–1550 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Hamilton College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1500 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Hamilton College
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1550+	Above 75th	>24%
1500 to 1550	Avg +	14%-24%
1450 to 1500	Avg -	8%-14%
Below 1450	Below mid-50	<8%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Hamilton College ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

33-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

16%

25th Percentile Scores

English N/A
Math N/A
Composite 33

75th Percentile Scores

English N/A
Math N/A
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Hamilton College typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 33–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Hamilton College places #3 among colleges in New York and #26 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 33 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 33–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Hamilton College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Hamilton College
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35+	Above 75th	>24%
34 to 35	Avg +	14%-24%
33 to 34	Avg -	8%-14%
Below 33	Below mid-50	<8%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

80% of Hamilton College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Hamilton College students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	80%
Top 25% of class	99%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Hamilton College chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Hamilton College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	4,560	3,964	8,531
Accepted	645	515	1,162
Acceptance Rate	14%	13%	14%
Enrolled	238	215	453
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	37%	42%	39%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Hamilton College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Hamilton College application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 5, 2027

Days left to Apply

127

Applicants have 127 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 5, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Hamilton College is $65.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Hamilton College
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Hamilton College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 13.6% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1450-1550); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025