Hampshire College: 68.9% Acceptance Rate

68.9%Acceptance

$56,630Tuition

716Students

57%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$46,938Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindLiberal ArtsStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Hampshire College

Hampshire College throws out the traditional playbook with no grades, no majors, and student-designed curricula where you create your own academic path. This experimental liberal arts college enrolls 716 students in a rural-fringe setting in Amherst, Massachusetts. Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and actress Lupita Nyong'o both emerged from this unconventional approach to higher education. Students work closely with faculty advisors in a 13:1 ratio to design interdisciplinary studies that blur academic boundaries.

The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $25,810, less than the sticker price of $72,784. However, graduates earn a median of $46,938 ten years after graduation, which creates challenges for the typical graduate carrying $26,893 in debt. Monthly loan payments average $285. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to just $14,636.

Hampshire's alternative structure shows in its outcomes. The four-year graduation rate sits at 58.76%, reflecting the self-directed nature of studies that don't always fit traditional timelines. Women make up 62.29% of the student body. The college proudly embraces its "Black Sheep" nickname, attracting students who thrive outside conventional academic structures but want intensive mentorship and creative freedom.

Academics & Faculty

Hampshire College operates without traditional grades or majors, instead letting students design their own academic paths through narrative evaluations and self-directed study. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio provides close mentorship as students work with faculty committees to create individualized programs of study. This experimental liberal arts approach demands high self-motivation, reflected in the 58.76% four-year graduation rate. Students complete divisional studies that build toward a capstone project rather than following predetermined majors. The college is particularly known for its film and media arts programs, producing alumni like documentarian Ken Burns. Hampshire's academic freedom attracts independent learners who thrive without conventional academic structure but struggle with the lack of traditional guidance.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Faculty: 74.6%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 58.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 57.2%
Retention Rate: 75.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $46,938
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Bachelor	$19,829

View all 63 programs →

Campus Life

Hampshire sprawls across 800 acres of New England farmland and forest, 90 minutes from Boston by car. With housing for 1,180 students and total enrollment of just 716, nearly everyone lives on campus in converted barns and modernist dorms. You'll need heavy winter coats for the snowy Massachusetts winters and light layers for humid summers.

The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and academic experiments. Hampshire students embrace the "Black Sheep" nickname, proudly rejecting traditional grades and majors in favor of self-designed studies. Weekend life revolves around student-run concerts, art installations, and outdoor adventures in the surrounding Pioneer Valley. With 62% women and a creative, activist-minded student body, campus culture skews progressive and collaborative rather than competitive.

Ten varsity sports teams field just 78 total athletes, reflecting Hampshire's academic rather than athletic focus. The 75% retention rate suggests students either thrive in this experimental environment or transfer to more structured schools. Most graduates earn $46,938 ten years out, typical for liberal arts alumni who prioritize meaningful work over high salaries.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Housing Capacity: 1,180 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1965

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Rape	6	4
Fondling	3	3
Dating Violence	1	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 13°–33°F
July Avg: 59°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 46.0"
Annual Snowfall: -740.8"

Student Demographics

Hampshire draws creative risk-takers from across the country, with 69% coming from out of state to pursue its radical no-grades experiment. Women make up 62% of the student body, reflecting the college's progressive values and emphasis on collaborative learning over competition. The school serves a socioeconomically diverse population, with 38% receiving Pell Grants. Students here tend to be independent thinkers who thrive without traditional academic structure. The tiny enrollment of just 716 creates an intimate community where unconventional learners can design their own educational journey alongside like-minded peers.

Men: 37.7%
Women: 62.3%
White: 58.9%
Black: 6.6%
Hispanic: 13.3%
Asian: 3.1%
In-State Students: 31.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 37.6%

Location

Hampshire College sits in Amherst, Massachusetts, about 90 miles west of Boston. The college draws 31% of its students from in-state, reflecting strong regional appeal in western Massachusetts. Amherst anchors one of New England's top college towns, sharing the area with UMass Amherst, Amherst College, Smith College, and Mount Holyoke College. This Five College Consortium creates a active academic atmosphere where Hampshire's 716 students can cross-register for courses at partner institutions. The Pioneer Valley offers a mix of rolling hills, farms, and college-town energy. Students considering colleges in Massachusetts may also compare Hampshire College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Amherst, Massachusetts 01002-5001

Stephen Gardner - Presidential Visit to the B&P Tunnel

Heather Boushey speaks at Economic Policy Institute

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $46,938
Median Earnings (5 years): $32,244
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $24,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 73.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $285/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $26,893

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Hampshire College?

Hampshire College accepts 68.90% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The school attracts students who thrive in unstructured environments and want to design their own academic path without traditional grades or majors.

How much does Hampshire College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $25,810, lower than the $72,784 total cost of attendance. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay only $14,636 on average, as the college is committed to making its experimental education accessible.

What makes Hampshire College's academic program unique?

Hampshire operates without grades, majors, or distribution requirements in a 13:1 student-faculty ratio environment. Students design their own curricula and complete portfolio-based evaluations instead of traditional coursework, pioneering this approach since 1965.

What do Hampshire College graduates earn after graduation?

Alumni earn a median of $46,938 ten years after graduation, with 93.8% finding employment. The college's unconventional approach has produced notable graduates like documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and actress Lupita Nyong'o.

Where is Hampshire College located and what is campus life like?

The rural campus in Amherst, Massachusetts houses 716 students with a capacity for 1,180 residents. With 62.29% women and students from diverse backgrounds, the community embraces its 'Black Sheep' identity and alternative approach to higher education.

How many students graduate from Hampshire College on time?

Only 58.76% of students graduate in four years, with a 57.20% six-year graduation rate. The college's self-directed learning model attracts independent learners but requires significant self-motivation to complete the unconventional academic journey.