Hamilton College

Hamilton’s open curriculum (no core requirements) allows students to design their own academic path across 44 majors (called "concentrations") and 58 areas of study. The most popular major is Economics, followed by Social Sciences (27% of degrees), Biological and Biomedical Sciences (12%), and Visual and Performing Arts (8%). The college emphasizes writing and communication skills across all disciplines, with small, discussion-based classes. Notably, Hamilton’s academic culture encourages intellectual exploration without distribution requirements, though students must complete a senior project in their major.

Life on Hamilton’s rural campus in Clinton, NY (a "very small" town, per student reviews) revolves around close-knit social circles and over 200 student organizations. The campus is described as extremely safe, with 100% of students reporting they feel secure. With 2,037 undergraduates (55.7% female, 44.3% male), the college fosters a residential community where nearly all students live on campus. Spiritual and religious life is active but low-pressure, and the surrounding area offers limited off-campus distractions—students often bond over campus events, outdoor activities, and road trips to nearby cities.

Hamilton delivers strong outcomes: a 95% first-year retention rate, 91% six-year graduation rate (top 5% nationally), and 98% of seniors employed or in grad school within a year. The median salary six years post-graduation is $60,082, with many alumni pursuing advanced degrees. The college’s emphasis on writing and critical thinking translates into high placement rates in finance, education, and STEM fields. Notably, 80% of students graduate in four years, well above the national average, and the college reports robust postgraduate fellowship success.

Hamilton’s sticker price is high, but the college meets 100% of demonstrated need with an average financial aid award of $63,557. The net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. (after aid) is $29,074, and 52.88% of students receive aid, including Pell Grants for 20% of enrollees. Families can use the college’s net price calculator for personalized estimates. While the total cost of attendance?Cost of attendanceThe full estimated yearly cost of a college: tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and other expenses, before any financial aid. includes direct and indirect expenses, Hamilton’s aid packages often include grants, loans, and campus employment opportunities.

Hamilton distinguishes itself through its rigorous yet self-directed open curriculum, where students design their own academic paths without core requirements. The college’s writing-intensive culture prepares graduates exceptionally well for careers and graduate school, evidenced by its 91% six-year graduation rate and strong alumni outcomes. Its rural setting fosters intense community bonds, though the isolation isn’t for everyone. For students who thrive in a small, discussion-driven environment with top-tier faculty attention (and don’t mind the upstate New York winters), Hamilton offers a quintessential liberal arts experience with outsized returns.