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Students at Hamilton College, as the liberal arts school loves to point out, study whatever interests them individually. Thanks to an open curriculum, the roughly 1,800 students aren't bound by a strict track of courses and prerequisites. That doesn't mean there aren't specific requirements to earn a degree in one of the over 40 majors offered at Hamilton, though. The college emphasizes strong critical thinking and communication skills, so all students have to complete three writing courses. Writing and oral communication centers are available to help students with these skills. Students also work with advisers to develop personal education goals, a task made possible by the college's high faculty-to-student ratio. Hamilton is one of a limited number of colleges that pledge to meet all of a student's demonstrated financial need. The college has increased its financial aid budget significantly in recent years to its current level of around $44 million. Despite Hamilton's small size, students can participate in more than 200 student groups, encompassing interests from beekeeping to conspiracy theories to sports. Every spring, students participate alone or on relay teams at HamTrek, a triathlon that calls for swimming 21 lengths in the pool, biking nine miles, and running five kilometers. The college encourages students to spend at least one semester off campus, and about two-thirds of students do so through study abroad programs or internships. Hamilton has a graduation rate of 93% -- 5% higher than schools with similar demographics -- and alumni make an average of $59,000 within five years of graduating, according to PayScale.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
FALL 2020 PLAN: Hamilton College used a three-phase plan that started with bringing employees back to campus gradually in cautious anticipation of full student enrollment for the fall. On-campus classes will run through the Tuesday before Thanksgiving; fall finals will be remote.
costs
Est. Full Price 2020-2021
$71,600
% of students who get any grants
55%
Est. price for students who receive aid
$29,000
Average price for low-income students
$9,800
admissions
Acceptance rate
21%
Median SAT/ACT Score
1430/33
SAT/ACT Required for Fall 2021?
no
Enrollment
1,990
Financial Aid
% of students with need who get grants
100%
% of need met
100%
% of students who get merit* grants
N/A
Average merit grant
N/A
student success
Graduation rate
93%
Average time to a degree
4.1 years
Average student debt
$16,250
Average salary within 5 years
$59,000
% earning more than $28,000
85%
key deadlines
Early decision application
Nov 15
Regular application
Jan 1
coronavirus update
FALL 2020 PLAN: Hamilton College used a three-phase plan that started with bringing employees back to campus gradually in cautious anticipation of full student enrollment for the fall. On-campus classes will run through the Tuesday before Thanksgiving; fall finals will be remote.
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