Hamilton College vs Wheaton College (Massachusetts)
Hamilton College and Wheaton College (Massachusetts) are two highly regarded liberal arts colleges with distinct characteristics. Hamilton, located in Clinton, New York, boasts a lower acceptance rate (13%) compared to Wheaton's 34%, indicating a more selective admissions process. Both institutions offer a diverse range of academic programs, but Hamilton is known for its strengths in the sciences, while Wheaton excels in the social sciences and humanities. The student bodies at these colleges also differ, with Hamilton having a slightly larger undergraduate population (1,862 vs. 1,680) and a higher percentage of male students (53% vs. 47%). While Hamilton boasts a slightly higher graduation rate (91% vs. 89%), both colleges are committed to providing their students with a transformative educational experience. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Hamilton College |
![]() Wheaton College (Massachusetts) |
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Overview |
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Location | Clinton, New York | Norton, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 94.0% | 84.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 14.1% | 82.1% |
Application fees | $60 | $60 |
SAT range | 1410 - 1540 | 1160 - 1360 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 28 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | 21.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | 4.0% |
Total number of applicants | 9,380 | 3,724 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,320 | 3,056 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 533 | 493 |
Yield rate | 40.4% | 16.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $76,700 | $74,850 |
Average net price | $26,803 | $28,867 |
Tuition | $59,380 | $57,700 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,320
Meal plan:
$6,910
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Room/dormitory:
$7,850
Meal plan:
$6,820
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
55.0%
Average amount $47,867 |
100.0%
Average amount $41,156 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
35.0%
Average amount $4,331 |
58.0%
Average amount $5,078 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $25,195 |
14.0%
Average amount $15,391 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,055
Men 45.8% Women 54.2% |
1,701
Men 38.3% Women 61.7% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 6.8% | 5.0% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,057 | 1,768 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.5% | 72.9% |
Dropout rate | 0.8% | 11.8% |
Transferred out | 6.8% | 15.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
Research and Experimental Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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