Admit rate has ranged 57%–68% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges—twin liberal arts institutions sharing a lakeside campus in Geneva, NY—blend rigorous academics with a fiercely independent spirit. Known for environmental studies, economics, and a 64% acceptance rate that belies its intellectual intensity, HWS thrives on close faculty mentorship and a student body that’s equally likely to debate Kant or kayak Seneca Lake.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,786
In-state tuition
$65,117
Out-of-state tuition
$65,117
Location
Geneva, NY (Seneca Lake)
Campus Vibe
Outdoorsy, intellectual, tradition-steeped
Acceptance Rate
64%
Most Popular Majors
Economics, Media & Society, Environmental Studies
Student-Faculty Ratio
5:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
68%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,831
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.2×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
77%
First-year retention
86%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
80%
Pell (lower-income) share
31%
First-generation share
13%
Endowment / student
$103,142
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Economics$55,512
Public Policy Analysis$44,942
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$42,682
History$41,193
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$34,348
Psychology, General$33,281
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
10
Per 1,000 students
5.60
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
92
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
24°F
Annual rain
45.1"
Annual snow
41.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Hobart William Smith Colleges?
Hobart William Smith Colleges's acceptance rate is approximately 64% (Geneva, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Hobart William Smith Colleges?
Admitted students at Hobart William Smith Colleges typically score 1190–1385 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Hobart William Smith Colleges cost?
At Hobart William Smith Colleges, the average net price (after aid) is about $31,563 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Hobart William Smith Colleges?
Hobart William Smith Colleges enrolls approximately 1,786 undergraduate students.
Where is Hobart William Smith Colleges located?
Hobart William Smith Colleges is located in Geneva, NY.
Admissions
Hobart and William Smith maintain a 64% acceptance rate—slightly more selective than the national average—with an early Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. of 73.4%. Middle 50% test scores land between 1180–1370 (SAT) and 28–32 (ACT), though the college is Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight.. Notably, 41% of admitted students defer enrollment, suggesting a flexible approach to gap years. The regular decision deadline is February 1, and while the admissions process is 'very difficult' per CollegeData, scoring above a 1370 SAT or 32 ACT 'nearly guarantees admission.'
With 70+ academic programs, HWS leans into interdisciplinary rigor. The most popular majors——reflect a balance of pragmatism and liberal arts curiosity. A ensures close mentorship; professors are 'respected scholars' who prioritize teaching. Standout programs include Aquatic Science (thanks to Seneca Lake’s research potential) and Architecture (6% of majors). The curriculum encourages experiential learning, with many courses incorporating the lake, nearby Finger Lakes ecosystems, or global study-abroad partnerships.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Communication and Media Studies
$32,569
English Language and Literature, General$30,409
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Economics, Media & Society, Environmental Studies, and Psychology
Life at HWS orbits Seneca Lake—students 'go down to the docks' to unwind—and a robust roster of 80+ clubs, 31 varsity teams, and outdoorsy traditions. The vibe is active and communal: Division III athletics (notably lacrosse) draw crowds, while intramurals and sustainability initiatives thrive. Housing is guaranteed, with themed floors like 'Wellness' or 'Global Citizenship.' Quirks include the 'Moving-Up Day' ceremony, where seniors pass leadership to juniors, and a 12 cultural centers supporting identity-based communities. As one Quora reviewer notes, it’s a place where 'competitive sports' coexist with 'small classes' and lakefront bonfires.
HWS boasts a 68% four-year graduation rate (above the liberal arts average), with 67% of men and higher rates for women completing degrees. Alumni median earnings hit $36,427 one year post-graduation, though the college emphasizes long-term ROI, ranking #12 nationally for outcomes in one survey. Notably, 66% of first-years receive need-based aid, and the career center leverages strong ties to NYC and Boston for internships. Environmental studies grads often land with conservation NGOs, while economics majors pivot to finance or policy.
The average net price after aid is $34,259, with 66% of first-years receiving need-based scholarships averaging $52,549. HWS meets 100% of demonstrated need, though the sticker price—$64,484 for tuition, fees, and room/board—requires planning. Merit scholarships are competitive, targeting top test scorers. The college’s Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator helps families model aid packages, which often include work-study jobs on the scenic campus.
HWS is a rare hybrid: a laid-back, lakefront campus with Ivy-level academic intensity. Its environmental programs leverage Seneca Lake as a living lab, while the Economics department’s Wall Street pipeline surprises for a small liberal arts college. The twin-college model (Hobart for men, William Smith for women, but fully co-ed academically) preserves historic traditions like separate graduation ceremonies—yet fosters a unified, fiercely independent community. As Money Magazine noted, it’s a 'best value' school where students 'debate philosophy at sunset on the boathouse docks.'
Hobart William Smith Colleges logo · sourceAbout Us | Hobart and William Smith Colleges · sourceAbout Us | Hobart and William Smith Colleges · sourceAdmissions | Hobart and William Smith Colleges · source
