U.S. News & World Report, in today's release of its 2006 ranking of liberal arts colleges, has ranked Hamilton College #15 in the nation, tied with Colgate University and Grinnell College. Hamilton, Vassar College and Colgate University are the only three New York institutions ranked among the top 25 liberal arts colleges. This is the highest ranking Hamilton has ever achieved in U.S. News; a year ago the College was tied at 19th.
In a Utica Observer-Dispatch article (8/19/05) Hamilton President Joan Hinde Stewart said Hamilton's ranking is an indication of the college's quality.
The article quoted Stewart: "We're very pleased that the U.S. News ranking recognizes the extraordinary talent of our faculty, staff and student body," Stewart said Thursday. "This year, we broke records in attracting the strongest class in our academic history."
Hamilton is also listed 26th among liberal arts colleges on the "Great schools, great prices" list, up from 28th place last year. More than 54 percent of the entering class is on some form of Hamilton financial assistance. Admitted students were offered approximately $14.3 million in institutional grants and scholarships. The average student financial assistance package is $26,775 per year for an incoming first-year student.
This recognition by U.S. News comes as the Class of 2009, the highest quality class ever enrolled at Hamilton as measured by SAT scores and class standings, arrives on campus. Average SAT scores for this entering class are 1346, and 69 percent of the students rank in the top 10 percent of their class. These first-year students also comprise the most culturally diverse class in the college's history. Eighteen percent of entering students are multicultural students from the U.S. Thirty-six states and 22 countries are represented. The College anticipates enrolling a first-year class of 500 students.
Additional information on U.S News rankings may be found at www.usnews.com.
