Admit rate has ranged 23%–32% 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.
Skidmore College is a selective liberal arts school where creative thinkers and doers thrive—a place where business majors paint, scientists write poetry, and everyone debates fiercely over coffee in Saratoga Springs' charming downtown. With an 8:1 student-faculty ratio and a graduation rate punching well above national averages, Skidmore blends rigorous academics with a laid-back, artistically charged vibe that attracts iconoclasts and intellectuals alike.
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
2,694
In-state tuition
$67,290
Out-of-state tuition
$67,290
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY
Acceptance Rate
21%
Most Popular Major
Business/Commerce
Student-Faculty Ratio
8:1
Six-Year Graduation Rate
82%
Avg. Financial Aid Package
$54,750
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$69,363
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.1×
Median debt at graduation
$19,500
Graduation rate
83%
First-year retention
90%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
86%
Pell (lower-income) share
38%
First-generation share
15%
Endowment / student
$181,218
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer and Information Sciences, General$50,270
Economics$46,087
Business/Commerce, General$43,575
International Relations and National Security Studies$41,193
Chemistry$36,848
Psychology, General$36,668
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
3
Per 1,000 students
1.11
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
90
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
19°F
Annual rain
49.1"
Annual snow
47.5"
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.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
157
Scholarly works
4,873
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.0%
Bottom → top quintile
44%
From bottom quintile
4%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Skidmore College?
Skidmore College's acceptance rate is approximately 21% (Saratoga Springs, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Skidmore College?
Admitted students at Skidmore College typically score 1340–1480 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Skidmore College cost?
At Skidmore College, the average net price (after aid) is about $32,297 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Skidmore College?
Skidmore College enrolls approximately 2,694 undergraduate students.
Where is Skidmore College located?
Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Admissions
Getting into Skidmore is no small feat—the college admits just 21% of applicants, making it "very selective" by most measures. Of the 11,889 applicants in a recent cycle, only 2,503 received acceptance letters. The middle 50% of enrolled students scored between 1350–1450 on the SAT or equivalent ACT scores, though Skidmore has been 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. since 2016 (only 33% of admitted students submitted scores for Fall 2024). The admissions office emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., noting flexibility for applicants with uneven academic profiles through programs like their Opportunity Program.
Acceptance Rate: 21% (varies slightly by source between 21.05%-21.1%)
Mid-50% SAT Range: 1350–1450 (Niche reports 1340–1480)
Test-Optional Policy: In place since 2016, with minority of enrollees submitting scores
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.
Fine and Studio Arts
$34,704
Sociology$32,653
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.
Skidmore’s academic identity orbits around its liberal arts core, offering 40+ majors and 50+ minors with a distinctive emphasis on interdisciplinary creativity. Business/Commerce is the most popular major (awarding ~94 degrees annually), but the curriculum leans decidedly eclectic—think psychology majors taking sculpture classes or biologists collaborating with dancers. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio ensures seminar-style classes, and the college prides itself on "high-impact opportunities" like undergraduate research. US News notes strong programs in social sciences, visual/performing arts, and natural sciences, with a vibe that’s "academically rigorous" but far from cutthroat.
Life at Skidmore unfolds on a "small but tidy" campus where athletes, artists, and intellectuals cross-pollinate—though Reddit threads note that subcultures often "stick with their own." The social scene balances cozy coffee-shop hangs with a robust party culture ("booze, pot... but chill and non-judgmental," per College Confidential). Saratoga Springs provides an idyllic backdrop with its historic downtown, while student testimonials highlight passionate professors and a library that’s a quiet-study haven. YouTube campus tours showcase a tight-knit community where creative energy fuels everything from dorm murals to late-night debates.
Skidmore’s 82% six-year graduation rate lands it in the top 10% nationally, with 84% finishing within 4.5 years. Alumni median earnings one year post-graduation hover around $36,427—modest for a private liberal arts college, though the Career Development Center touts strong placements in grad schools and eclectic sectors. Notably, male students graduate at higher rates (85%) than the national average for comparable institutions. The college emphasizes lifelong networks, with alumni often crediting Skidmore’s blend of critical thinking and creative problem-solving for career adaptability.
With a sticker price north of $80K, Skidmore leans heavily on financial aid to make attendance feasible—61% of first-years receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., averaging $54,750. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after grants drops to ~$32,368 for many students, and the college offers merit scholarships like the $60,000 Porter/Wachenheim Award. Skidmore’s average grant ($33,632) dwarfs the typical private college’s $13,799, signaling a commitment to accessibility. The financial aid office uses a New York-state-aware formula, capping awards at tuition costs for in-state families.
Skidmore defies easy categorization—it’s where future CEOs minor in studio art and chemists write slam poetry. The college’s 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. policy (since 2016) and Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. attract unconventional thinkers, while Saratoga Springs’ blend of Gilded Age charm and indie music venues fuels off-campus creativity. Unlike stuffier liberal arts peers, Skidmore embraces a "work hard, play hard" ethos where rigorous seminars segue seamlessly into dorm-room jam sessions. Its 8:1 faculty ratio and 82% graduation rate prove that nurturing individuality pays dividends—both in the classroom and beyond.
Skidmore College logo · sourceSkidmore College Admissions | Where Creative Thought Matters · sourceInq: Event Portal · sourceCreative Futures: The Skidmore College Strategic Plan, 2025–2030 · source
