CAMPUS · CLINTON, NY · PRIVATE

Hamilton College

11.8%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

REACH

Hamilton College is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

11.8%

of 9,643 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$78,411

across all majors

Hamilton College at a Glance

2,131

Total Enrollment

$17,000

Median Debt

18.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Hamilton College

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	700	770	735
SAT Math	710	780	745
SAT Total	1410	1550	1480
ACT Composite	32	35	33

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	9,643
Students Admitted	1,135
Students Enrolled	462
Yield Rate	40.7%

Hamilton College Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News Liberal Arts Colleges	#14	2025

Hamilton College Overview

Hamilton College is a private university in Clinton, NY with 2,131 students. Its 11.8% acceptance rate places it among America's most selective universities. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Mathematics/Statistics.

Full Name	Hamilton College
Location	Clinton, NY 13323
Type	Private
Website	hamilton.edu/
Total Enrollment	2,131
Undergrad Enrollment	2,131
Female Students	55.5%

Is Hamilton College a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 11.8%, Hamilton College is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	Hamilton College Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at Hamilton College

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

29.4%

Biological Sciences

11.6%

Mathematics/Statistics

8.5%

Foreign Languages

8.1%

Visual/Performing Arts

7.4%

Best Majors at Hamilton College →

Student Demographics

White

64.7%

Black/African American

3.1%

Hispanic/Latino

9.4%

Asian

8.9%

International

7.3%

How to Get Into Hamilton College

Hamilton is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1480+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Hamilton wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1480

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

11.8%

Acceptance Rate

9,643

Total Applicants

What Hamilton College Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Important
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Important
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Hamilton College Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Hamilton College ED I/II admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Decision	Nov 15
Early Decision II	Jan 5
Regular Decision	Jan 5

Early Decision: Hamilton College offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Hamilton College is your clear first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hamilton College

What is Hamilton's acceptance rate?

Hamilton has an acceptance rate of 11.8%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for Hamilton?

The middle 50% SAT range at Hamilton is 1410-1550. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 32-35. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at Hamilton?

The most popular majors at Hamilton by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (29.4%), Biological Sciences (11.6%), Mathematics/Statistics (8.5%), Foreign Languages (8.1%), Visual/Performing Arts (7.4%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to Hamilton?

Hamilton accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.