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Colleges in and near Hamilton

Hamilton is a college town: 73 of every 100 residents are students

Colgate University (3,146 students on campus) is inside the village. Across New York, 7 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.

College town73% of residents are studentsColgate University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Hamilton. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
5,116 students on campus
Nearest college
1 mi
Colgate University
Residents in college
73%
Above NY (7%)
Nearest community college
22.7 mi
Saint Elizabeth College of Nursing · $20,180 tuition
Nearest public university
6.3 mi
SUNY Morrisville · $8,825 in-state
Students on campus in Hamilton
3,146
next to 4,078 residents

What stands out about college in Hamilton

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college town73 of every 100 Hamilton residents are enrolled in college, against 7 across New York.A university in HamiltonColgate University has 3,146 students on campus in Hamilton, 91% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at SUNY MorrisvilleLiving in New York, SUNY Morrisville charges $8,825 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $19,245. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 22.7 miles awaySaint Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica: tuition and fees $20,180 a year for New York residents.
Town & gown

What it’s like to live in Hamilton

How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.

73 of every 100 Hamilton residents are in college (NY: 7).

3,146students on campus at Colgate University, next to 4,078 residents (dorm students count as residents)
112college students live in Hamilton households rather than dorms
20.4median age · NY 39.8
53%of homes rented · NY 46%
$1,245median rent · 23% below the state
Cost of living$1,245/mo median rentC−SafetyCrime reported to the FBIA+HealthCDC estimatesAJobs & incomeIncome, jobs, getting aroundC+HandbookTrash day, parking, who to call

How students change Hamilton’s other numbers

Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →

Jobs & income C+

Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 13.2% of Hamilton residents are below the poverty line, 9.6% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 6 points either way). 51% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.

Cost of living C−

The Cost grade leaves out the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent wherever students are a quarter of residents or more (73% here): it would mostly measure student incomes.

Health A

CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and Hamilton’s median age is 20.4 (New York 39.8), so the adult figures describe a young population.

Safety A+

Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.

Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Hamilton

One private college within 1 mile, and one public college within 6.3 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miColgate UniversitySUNY MorrisvilleHamilton
University or collegeCommunity college
Colgate UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,146 on campus · In Hamilton14%admitted$29knet price91%graduate$85kearningsSUNY MorrisvilleUniversity or college · Public · 1,970 on campus · 6.3 mi · Morrisville92%admitted$16knet price28%graduate$43kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Hamilton’s median household income ($66,750) falls.

Colgate UniversityIn Hamilton · sticker $87,070$13,617a year
SUNY Morrisville6.3 mi · Morrisville · sticker $26,833$18,510a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Hamilton: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Colgate UniversitySUNY Morrisville
Colgate University91% graduate$85k earnings$15k typical debt
SUNY Morrisville28% graduate$43k earnings$19k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Hamilton

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Colgate University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Social sciences 34%Biology 15%Computer science 9%Psychology 8%Natural resources 6%Physical sciences 5%Everything else 23%

Biggest programs

Economics147 graduates a year
$129k4 yrs out
Political Science and Government76 graduates a year
$83k4 yrs out
Computer Science62 graduates a year
$162k4 yrs out
International Relations and National Security Studies44 graduates a year
$77k4 yrs out
English Language and Literature, General39 graduates a year
$61k4 yrs out
History39 graduates a year
$76k4 yrs out
Natural Resources Conservation and Research38 graduates a year
$71k4 yrs out
Biology, General37 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Hamilton

Is Hamilton a college town?

Yes. 73 of every 100 Hamilton residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 7 across New York. Colgate University has 3,146 students on campus, next to 4,078 residents.

What colleges are in Hamilton?

Colgate University is inside the village. Saint Elizabeth College of Nursing is 22.7 miles away in Utica.

Why is Hamilton’s poverty rate so high?

Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 13.2% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 9.6% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 6 points).

What is the closest community college to Hamilton, and what does it cost?

Saint Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica, 22.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $20,180 a year for New York residents.

How hard is it to get into Colgate University?

Colgate University admitted 14% of applicants in the Scorecard’s latest year; the middle half of admitted students scored 1,430–1,540 on the SAT.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Hamilton. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →