Hampshire College vs Principia College
Hampshire College and Principia College, two distinct institutions with unique offerings, present prospective students with contrasting educational experiences. Hampshire, known for its innovative approach to learning, boasts an acceptance rate of 68%, while Principia, a Christian Science institution, maintains a lower acceptance rate of 56%. In terms of student body demographics, Hampshire's student population is more diverse, with 43% identifying as students of color compared to Principia's 15%. Both colleges offer a range of popular majors, with Hampshire emphasizing social sciences and Principia focusing on liberal arts and sciences. While Hampshire boasts a higher graduation rate of 75%, Principia's rate stands at 68%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two institutions and determine which aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Hampshire College |
![]() Principia College |
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Overview |
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Location | Amherst, Massachusetts | Elsah, Illinois |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Rural: Fringe |
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 | 72.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.1% | 84.1% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | 1028 - 1193 |
ACT range | N/A | 21 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 30.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 13.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,340 | 138 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,007 | 116 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 133 | 79 |
Yield rate | 13.2% | 68.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $66,658 | $42,820 |
Average net price | $30,168 | $19,816 |
Tuition | $51,000 | $29,970 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,520
Meal plan:
$5,912
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Room/dormitory:
$5,810
Meal plan:
$6,460
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $36,653 |
94.0%
Average amount $25,174 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
64.0%
Average amount $4,793 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $8,793 |
94.0%
Average amount $2,016 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
472
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
321
Men 53.0% Women 47.0% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 92.7% |
International students | 6.4% | 24.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Rural: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 1,180 | 585 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Missouri California Texas Illinois Ohio |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 5:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 62.4% | 85.9% |
Dropout rate | 37.3% | 14.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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N/A |
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