Close-Knit, Customized Liberal Arts Degrees at Hamilton
Hamilton College appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Technologically Advanced Small Colleges.
Ranked 16th nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, Hamilton College is a premier, private Oberlin Group member in Upstate New York that specializes its Open Curriculum for 43 bachelor’s majors and 52 minors taught at an engaging 9:1 student-faculty ratio. For example, the 32-unit Bachelor of Arts in Art lets undergrads practice in Kennedy Center Studio, exhibit at the Wellin Museum, seek internships like Pixar, and take the NYC Program. Chaired by Dr. Mike McCormick, the Bachelor of Arts in Biology follows a 32-unit, four-year curriculum with Taylor Science Center projects, Costa Rica trips, and paid National Zoological Park internships for 94 percent retention.
At Kirner-Johnson Hall, the Bachelor of Arts in Government shapes a 32-unit, policy-based plan with an optional Washington DC Semester or two-week Levitt Leadership Institute for 96 percent job placement at the State Department, Republican National Committee, NBC News, and others. The 32-unit Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience directed by Dr. Herman Lehman encourages students to join Women in STEM, research in the 1,000-square-foot Vivarium, and intern at Mohawk Valley Health.
Other Hamilton Bachelor of Arts programs include Africana Studies, Archaeology, Computer Science, Greek, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Religion, and Women’s & Gender Studies.
About Hamilton College
Hamilton College originated in 1791 when Presbyterian minister Rev. Samuel Kirkland presented his “Plan of Education for the Indians” to George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. On July 1, 1794, his vision was realized as Hamilton-Oneida Academy opened. In 1802, the Backus House was built as its first dormitory residence. One decade later, it was chartered as Hamilton College, New York’s third oldest institution. In 1872, Hamilton created the Perry Hiram Smith Library and Debating Club. By 1900, President M. Woolsey Stryker had cut Hamilton’s ties to the Presbyterian Church. In 1926, famed psychologist B.F. Skinner graduated from Hamilton College. In 1957, Dr. Marcel Moraud started Hamilton’s lauded Junior Year in France program. In 1971, Hamilton joined the New England Small College Conference. In 1978, Hamilton College merged with the all-female Kirkland College for coed teaching.
Endowed for $954.7 million, Hamilton College now employs 187 faculty inspiring 1,850 Continentals from 47 states and 45 nations at its 1,350-acre Clinton campus outside Utica with 150+ clubs like Competitive Robotics. In 2018, Hamilton received the Chief Investment Officer Industry Innovation Award. In 2017, Hamilton College had the 16th most Fulbright Scholarship recipients at seven. Its Kennedy Arts Center won an AIA Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture too. Forbes named Hamilton the 60th best university and 23rd top liberal arts school. On Niche, Hamilton boasts America’s 29th best international relations, 32nd best English, and 36th top economics degrees. Money magazine declared Hamilton College the 76th top value with an average debt of $15,800. The New York Times also crowned Hamilton the 37th best for low-income students.
Hamilton College Accreditation Details
On June 23, 2011, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Board of Trustees voted to commend Hamilton College for exceeding the 14 Standards of Excellence and reaffirm the Level II accreditation through 2020-21 under its 20th president, Dr. David Wippman, who earned the Advocates for Human Rights Special Recognition Award. Located 265 miles down Interstate 81 in Philadelphia, this esteemed eight-territory Atlantic Coast accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and New York State Office of Higher Education.
Hamilton College Application Requirements
Admission to Hamilton College is classified “very difficult” by Peterson’s because only 1,328 of the 6,240 Fall 2017 applicants were successful for selective 21 percent acceptance. First-year Continentals must exhibit intellectual potential during a rigorous, college-prep high school curriculum. Students generally rank in the top or second decile of their graduating classes. Freshmen present an extremely competitive average GPA of 4.01. The middle 50th percentile score between 1370 and 1520 on the SAT. Mid-range ACT composite scores are 30 to 34. Beyond tests, Hamilton looks for ambition, community service, and leadership experience. Admitted transfers have finished at least one college semester with a 3.33 GPA or better. Non-U.S. residents need a minimum 7.0 IELTS, 600 TOEFL pBT, 700 SAT Reading, or 70 Duolingo score.
Hamilton College enforces freshman deadlines of November 15th for Early Decision I and January 1st for Early Decision II or Regular Decision. Financial aid documents are due January 15th. Each year, 10-20 transfers who apply by November 1st for Spring and April 1st for Fall starts are admitted. Note the Year in Spain program has a unique March 1st deadline. Accordingly, complete the Coalition, QuestBridge, or Common Application online for $60. Have registrars mail official transcripts to 198 College Hill Road in Clinton, NY 13323. Submit test scores directly from agencies using SAT/TOEFL code 2286 or ACT code 2754. Attach other requirements like the personal essay, arts supplement, two recommendations, immigration papers, transfer report, and résumé. Contact (800) 843-2655 or [email protected] with more questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Hamilton College’s Business Office published full-time tuition of $27,985 per semester or $55,970 annually. Undergrads must pay a $560 activities fee each year. Tuition insurance plan premiums are $352 yearly. Residing at the Clinton campus’ 28 dorms like Milbank Hall adds $7,850 for housing. Standard meal plans for McEwen Dining Hall are $6,510 extra. Hamilton budgets $800 for books, $1,500 for travel, and $1,000 for miscellaneous. The study abroad fee is $1,500 per term or $3,000 by year. Annual Bachelor of Arts attendance equals $74,542 on-site or $60,182 if commuting. Kiplinger’s 22nd best value lists a yearly cost of $25,345 after need-based aid though.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid at the Chet & Joy Siuda House connects 53 percent of full-time Hamilton Continentals to median assistance packages worth $39,461 for $39.38 million combined. Institutional funds include the Franklin Baldwin Scholarship, George Mitchell Avery Scholarship, Gilman Burke Scholarship, Patricia Pogue Couper Scholarship, Samuel Jardin Scholarship, Hasbrouck Bailey Miller Scholarship, Jack Silverman Scholarship, Thompson Family Scholarship, Jansen Woods Scholarship, Orth Family Northern Nugget Scholarship, and Mac Bristol Memorial Scholarship. The Hamilton Grant gifts need-based awards by estimated family contribution for $42,968 on average. The Tuition Assistance Program provides New York residents with $500 to $5,165 each year. Since 2017, Enhanced Tuition Awards have deducted $6,000 annually at private NYS colleges like Hamilton. FAFSA applications coded 002286 also determine Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, Work-Study, and Perkins/Direct Loan eligibility.
Explore the 56 areas of study in 28 departments placed 67th overall by Times Higher Education at the Hamilton College website.