What makes Hamilton different
- An open curriculum. No distribution requirements: students design their education with a faculty advisor from the first semester.
- Writing and speaking. Strong emphasis on writing, speaking and presenting in every subject.
- Funded research. Emerson grants fund students to research a topic of their choice with a faculty member for up to 10 weeks.
What Hamilton students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): econometrics and quantitative economics (90), computer and information sciences (35), biology (31), environmental studies (25), neuroscience (23) and psychology (21). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Hamilton if…
- You want freedom to choose your own courses.
- You'd like to sharpen your writing and speaking.
- You want a hilltop campus in a small town.
Worth asking about
- How do advisors help with the open curriculum?
- How do the engineering combined-degree programs work?
How Hamilton compares with other liberal arts colleges
Hamilton admitted 13.6% of applicants for fall 2024 and is one of seven NESCAC colleges in this group. See how these 20 liberal arts colleges compare.
FAQ
What is Hamilton College's acceptance rate? 13.6% for fall 2024: 1,162 of 8,531 applicants were admitted.
Does Hamilton have early decision? Yes. Hamilton offers binding early decision in two rounds: Early Decision I (November 15) and Early Decision II (January 4). Source
Does Hamilton require the SAT or ACT? No. Hamilton does not require the SAT or ACT, and it won't assume a missing score is low. This applies to students applying in 2026–27 for fall 2027. Source
Does Hamilton charge out-of-state tuition? No. Hamilton is private, so published tuition and fees are the same for students from any state: $68,960 a year before aid. About 61% of first-year students came from outside New York.
How much is Hamilton tuition per semester? About $34,480 a semester, half the published $68,960 a year, before aid.
How many students go to Hamilton? About 2,000 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is Hamilton known for? Its open curriculum, writing and speaking, and hilltop campus.
How much does Hamilton cost? Published tuition and fees are $68,960 a year before aid, and the total cost of attendance is $84,230. Students who received aid paid $24,837 a year on average.
Wondering if an open curriculum fits you?
Lens's assessments show whether you lean toward structure or flexibility, and which kinds of colleges fit. Start with Lens →