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Hamilton College

Private

Clinton, NY

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Hamilton College, in Clinton, NY, is a private small school, enrolling around 2,030 students. Hamilton College is highly selective, with an acceptance rate near 14%. Social Sciences graduates, especially in Economics, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $130,633/year. On-campus housing is mandatory here.

Admissions

Admit rate14%
SAT range1450–1550
ACT range33–35
Undergrads2,030
Yield (admits who enroll)41%
Next deadlineNov 15, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$84,230
4-year grad rate91%
Median earnings, 10yr out$78,411

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How Hamilton College weighs your application

From Hamilton College's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayImportant
RecommendationsImportant
Nonacademic factors
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesConsidered
Talent/abilityConsidered
Character/personal qualitiesImportant
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans29%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out90%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

English Language and Literature/Letters
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$42,806/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$83,211/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$130,633/yr
Political Science and Government$88,019/yr
International Relations and National Security Studies$64,585/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusYes
Dormitory capacity2,057
Typical room charge$8,690
Typical board charge$7,220

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPAConsidered, not required
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Hamilton College look for in applicants?

Per Hamilton College's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Hamilton College's acceptance rate?

Hamilton College in Clinton, NY admits approximately 14% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Hamilton College?

Admitted students at Hamilton College typically score between 1450–1550 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Hamilton College?

Admitted students at Hamilton College typically score between 33–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Hamilton College cost?

Hamilton College's total cost of attendance is reported at $84,230 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Hamilton College?

Hamilton College's earliest deadline is Nov 15, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Hamilton College require students to live on campus?

Yes -- Hamilton College requires students to live in on-campus housing.

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