What Does It Cost to Attend Hamilton College?

A small liberal arts college located in Clinton, New York, Hamilton College is a prestigious school with hardworking students. Like other private institutions of its caliber, Hamilton has a high list price, which may seem overwhelming to many families.

However, few students actually pay the list price; instead, you should pay attention to the net cost—your out-of-pocket cost of attending Hamilton. This includes federal, state, and local government aid; institutional financial aid; and merit scholarships.

What should you actually expect to pay if your child attends Hamilton? Read on to find out.

What Is the List Price at Hamilton?

For in- and out-of-state students, the list price for Hamilton was $65,750 in the 2016–17 school year. Typically, high-earning families—those earning a combined income of more than $175,000 annually end up paying the list price.

What Is the Price of Attending Hamilton With Financial Aid?

Students who receive financial aid typically have a net cost, on average, of $54,803. The average cost varies significantly based on family income:

*Hamilton actually offers more aid on average to students in the $48-75k range than in the $30-48K range.

What Is the Merit Aid Net Price at Hamilton?

Hamilton does not award merit scholarships for students without financial aid, meaning the average net price for students who do not qualify for need-based financial aid is the list price of $65,750.

Student Loans and Debt at Hamilton

Thirty-eight percent of Hamilton students take out loans, which must be repaid according to a timetable after graduation. Most other components of financial aid packages do not need to be repaid. The average federal student loans for undergraduates at Hamilton is $3,567.

Other Ways to Save for College

College can be costly, even with financial aid. That’s why many students earn supplemental income through part-time jobs and paid internships. Hamilton does offer some jobs for students on-campus, although preference is given to candidates fulfilling work-study requirements.

Many students also apply for merit scholarships through outside organizations. There are many scholarships available for specific skill sets, demographics, and other variables. Be sure to research suitable awards while your student is in high school since many have early deadlines. Scholarships are awarded in varying amounts and can help offset the cost of attending Hamilton.

Since aid is strictly need-based at Hamilton, the college does not offer additional awards beyond the scholarship amount of $2,500 to National Merit Scholarship winners.

Learn more about need-based scholarships and grants at Hamilton.

Student Outcomes

Hamilton boasts strong outcomes for students and alumni. Ninety-one percent of Hamilton students graduate within six years. Ten years after graduating, alumni earn $60,200 annually on average.

Local Area Cost Considerations in Clinton, New York

The cost of living index in Clinton, New York, is 86.3. That means that the cost of living in this small village in Oneida County is 13.7 percent lower than the national average. At Hamilton, students are required to live on campus for all four years of their education.

In New York State, the minimum hourly wage is $11.10. This will be raised to $15/hour at the end of 2019. Average salaries in Oneida County vary greatly depending on the type of work performed. Keep in mind that Clinton itself is a small village, largely powered by Hamilton, so much of the work you find will likely come from the college.

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