Hampshire College
Hampshire College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Hampshire College at a Glance
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.
1965
61 years old
$27M
$26.5 million (2024)
844
47
800 acres
Identity
Is Hampshire College Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, Hampshire College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,938 — 13% below average — while paying $24,034/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $26,893 representing 57% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Hampshire College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Hampshire College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #81 of 159 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #4 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #5 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #81 | Hampshire College | 27 | $24,034 | $46,938 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Hampshire College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in MA.
Best Programs at Hampshire College
The highest-earning program at Hampshire College is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $19,000/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate from Hampshire College earns $19,000, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $19,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates carry $25,500 in median debt vs. $25,500 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,034/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $19,000 | $19,000 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Amherst, MA
- Student Body
- 839 students
- Admission Rate
- 75%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,034
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,938
- Median Student Debt
- $26,893