Clinton, NY · Private University
Is Hamilton College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$78,411
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$65,740
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,740
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$262,960
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.19x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
91.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$17,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$28,314
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Hamilton College graduates earn $33,411 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Hamilton College ranked by graduate earnings
60 graduates
35 graduates
24 graduates
16 graduates
20 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Hamilton College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Hamilton College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $94,218) and the lowest (Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies: $28,442) is $65,776/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $94,218 | 1.4x |
| Mathematics | $79,932 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $69,934 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $57,565 | 0.9x |
| Public Policy Analysis(1yr data) | $56,158 | 0.8x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies(1yr data) | $45,332 | 0.7x |
| Biology, General(1yr data) | $43,639 | 0.7x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $39,880 | 0.6x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $28,442 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton College | 1.19x | $78,411 | Average ROI |
| Middlebury College | 1.17x | $76,310 | Average ROI |
| Amherst College | 1.15x | $77,644 | Average ROI |
| Bowdoin College | 1.27x | $82,735 | Average ROI |
| Colgate University | 1.27x | $85,139 | Average ROI |
| Wellesley College | 1.32x | $84,803 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Hamilton College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $78,411 10 years after starting — $33,411 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.