Skip to main content
80.6%Acceptance
$48,311Tuition
1,685Students
58%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$61,106Earnings
Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24United Methodist

About Hamline University

Hamline University attracts students who want a small liberal arts experience in a major metropolitan area. The school enrolls just 1,685 students on its Saint Paul campus, creating an intimate academic environment with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. Founded in 1854 with Methodist roots, Hamline has built a reputation for social justice advocacy and community engagement. The university operates on a distinctive Four-One-Four calendar system that includes an intensive January term for internships, study abroad, or focused coursework.

Students pay an average net price of $21,385 after financial aid, substantially less than the $48,311 sticker price. Graduates earn a median salary of $61,106 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt loads of $23,770. The loan repayment rate sits at 70.97%, suggesting most alumni can manage their monthly payments of $252. Nearly 40% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's commitment to economic diversity.

Women outnumber men at 63.68% to 36.32%. The student body is 56% white with meaningful representation from Black (12.28%) and Hispanic (13.18%) students. Most students come from Minnesota, with 84.62% staying in-state. The Pipers compete in NCAA Division III with 18 varsity sports and 458 total athletes participating without athletic scholarships.

Academics & Faculty

Hamline operates as a liberal arts university where students explore broad intellectual territory before focusing on their major. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name and can provide personalized mentoring. However, the 57.7% six-year graduation rate suggests some students struggle to finish their degrees despite this close attention. Hamline has built a strong reputation for its creative writing program, which has produced notable authors and poets. The university also emphasizes experiential learning through internships and study abroad programs. The Four-One-Four calendar system allows students to pursue intensive January term courses or internships. Students value the collaborative rather than competitive academic atmosphere that comes with being a smaller liberal arts institution.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
13:1
Full-Time Faculty
46.8%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
63.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
57.7%
Retention Rate
73.6%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$61,106
Carnegie Classification
Master's University (Large)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Public Administration. Master $66,653
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Master $65,238
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. Master $62,012
Law. Doctoral $59,756
Accounting and Related Services. Bachelor $57,860
Education, General. Master $55,964
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Master $50,320
Economics. Bachelor $49,058
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Bachelor $44,970
Finance and Financial Management Services. Bachelor $44,942

View all 80 programs →

Campus Life

Hamline's 60-acre campus sits in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul, just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. You'll need serious winter gear here - Minnesota winters are brutal, with snow lasting from November through March. About 52% of students live on campus in residence halls that house 882 students total. The Four-One-Four calendar system gives you a month-long January term for intensive courses or internships.

Weekend life revolves around the Twin Cities metro area. Students take advantage of being 84% in-state by exploring Minneapolis's music scene, catching Wild or Twins games, or hitting up the extensive bike trail system. The campus feels tight-knit with just 1,685 students and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. Greek life doesn't dominate social culture here. Instead, students gather around Division III athletics - the Pipers field 18 varsity teams with 458 total athletes competing. Study abroad participation runs high, reflecting the school's Methodist heritage of global engagement. The diverse student body includes 34% students of color, creating meaningful conversations across different backgrounds.
Setting
City-Large
Housing Capacity
882 beds
Calendar System
Four-One-Four
Study Abroad
Available
Founded
1854

Campus Safety (2023)

38 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Stalking 7 5 0 0
Rape 5 3 0 0
Burglary 4 2 0 0
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 0 0 2
Fondling 2 2 0 0
Dating Violence 2 1 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
5°–21°F
July Avg
62°–81°F
Annual Precipitation
32.7"
Annual Snowfall
40.4"

Student Demographics

Hamline draws primarily Minnesota students who value its Methodist-rooted commitment to social justice and service. Women make up nearly two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the university's strong education, social work, and liberal arts programs that traditionally attract female students. The campus serves a economically diverse population, with 40% receiving Pell Grants. Students of color represent 34% of enrollment, making Hamline more diverse than many small Midwestern colleges. The strong local draw speaks to Hamline's reputation in the Twin Cities for preparing students for careers in teaching, nonprofit work, and public service.
Men
36.3%
Women
63.7%
White
56.1%
Black
12.3%
Hispanic
13.2%
Asian
8.8%
In-State Students
84.6%
Pell Grant Recipients
39.8%

Location

Saint Paul serves as Minnesota's capital and forms half of the Twin Cities metro area alongside Minneapolis. The campus sits just minutes from downtown Saint Paul and about 10 miles from downtown Minneapolis. This gives Hamline's 1,685 students easy access to major employers, internships, and cultural attractions in a metro area of 3.7 million people. The Twin Cities region offers four distinct seasons, numerous lakes, and a thriving arts scene. Saint Paul itself maintains a more intimate feel than Minneapolis while still providing urban amenities. The 84.62% of students from Minnesota often appreciate staying close to home while experiencing city life. Students considering colleges in Minnesota may also compare Hamline University with similar schools in the region.
Address
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104-1284
Hamline University Old Main
Hamline University Old Main
Midway Detail-Rice
Midway Detail-Rice
1930s HU STUDENTS
1930s HU STUDENTS

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$61,106
Median Earnings (5 years)
$56,415
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$42,800
Loan Repayment Rate
71.0%
Monthly Loan Payment
$252/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,770

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Hamline University?

Hamline accepts about 81% of applicants, making it accessible to most students with solid academic records. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1030-1258 on the SAT, reflecting the university's welcoming approach to students from diverse academic backgrounds.

How much does Hamline University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $21,385 after financial aid, despite a sticker price of $48,311 for tuition. About 40% of students receive Pell Grants, and the school provides substantial institutional grants averaging $33,013 to help make this Methodist liberal arts education affordable.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Hamline University?

Hamline maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio with just 1,685 total students, creating an intimate learning environment. The university operates on a distinctive Four-One-Four calendar system that allows for intensive January term courses and study abroad opportunities.

What are the career outcomes for Hamline University graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $61,106 ten years after graduation, with a strong 96.2% employment rate. About 58% of students graduate within four years, and those with loans typically owe $23,770 with manageable monthly payments of $252.

Where is Hamline University located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Saint Paul, Minnesota, housing 882 students in residence halls on a walkable urban campus. With 458 student-athletes competing in 18 Division III sports as the Pipers, the school maintains strong athletic traditions while serving a student body that is 64% women and 85% from Minnesota.

Is Hamline University affiliated with a religious denomination?

Founded in 1854, Hamline maintains its historic United Methodist affiliation while welcoming students of all backgrounds. The university's liberal arts focus reflects Methodist values of social justice and community engagement, though religious participation is not required for the diverse student body that is 56% white with significant representation from Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities.