Hampshire College

Amherst, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's degrees · Rural

Overall Grade

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About Hampshire College

Hampshire College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1965 as an experiment in alternative education, in association with four other colleges in the Pioneer Valley: Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Together, the institutions are known as the Five College Consortium. The college uses an alternative curriculum, with an emphasis on progressive pedagogy and self-directed academic concentrations, a focus on portfolios rather than distribution requirements, and a reliance on narrative evaluations instead of grades and GPAs. Its campus houses the Yiddish Book Center and Eric Carle Museum and hosts the annual Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics. Hampshire College alumni, faculty, and researchers have included a Nobel laureate, 5 MacArthur Fellows, 32 Fulbright scholars, and 7 members of the National Academy of Sciences. On April 14, 2026, the college's leaders announced that it would close after the autumn 2026 semester, citing unresolved financial and accreditation pressures, along with a steep decline in enrollment.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

75%

Acceptance

$24,034

Net price

839

Enrollment

54%

Grad rate

Report Card

B-

Academics

Graduation & retention rates

C+

Value

Earnings vs. cost of attendance

C+

Career Outcomes

Graduate earnings after 10 years

Affordability

Average net price after aid

Selectivity

How hard it is to get in

Diversity

Racial & ethnic balance of students

Grades are computed from official U.S. Department of Education metrics (graduation, cost, earnings, selectivity and student diversity).

Admissions

75%

Acceptance rate

—

SAT average

—

ACT midpoint

Cost & Financial Aid

$24,034

Average net price

$58,896

In-state tuition

$58,896

Out-of-state tuition

$15,958

Room & board

$1,000

Books & supplies

$74,195

Total cost of attendance

39%

Students receiving Pell grants

62%

Students with federal loans

$26,893

Median student debt

Average net price by family income

$0–30K

$13,749

$30–48K

$15,251

$48–75K

$18,165

$75–110K

$25,447

$110K+

$37,221

Net price is the average annual cost after grants and scholarships for federally-aided students.

Popular Majors

Visual & Performing Arts41.7%

English8.3%

Social Sciences6.1%

Ethnic & Gender Studies6.1%

Computer Science4.5%

Psychology4.5%

Natural Resources3.8%

Biology3.0%

Communications3.0%

Education3.0%

After Graduation

$46,938

Median earnings (10 yrs)

$22,195

Median earnings (6 yrs)

54%

Graduation rate

78%

Retention rate

67%

Earn more than a HS grad

$12,599

Instructional spend / student

Student Body

839

Total enrollment

Part-time

Avg. age at entry

14%

First-generation

Gender balance

62% women

38% men

Race & ethnicity

White

62%

Hispanic

13%

Black

Two or more races

Asian

American Indian / Alaska Native

Hampshire College FAQ

Is Hampshire College a public or private school?

Hampshire College is a private nonprofit institution located in Amherst, MA.

What is the acceptance rate at Hampshire College?

Hampshire College has an acceptance rate of 75%, based on the latest U.S. Department of Education data.

How much does Hampshire College cost?

The average annual net price at Hampshire College is $24,034 — the typical cost after grants and scholarships for federally-aided students. Published tuition is $58,896.

What is the graduation rate at Hampshire College?

About 54% of students at Hampshire College complete their degree, according to federal completion data.

How much do Hampshire College graduates earn?

Ten years after enrolling, Hampshire College students earn a median of $46,938 per year.

How many students attend Hampshire College?

Hampshire College enrolls about 839 students.

Campus