Hamilton College SAT & ACT Scores
Hamilton College does not require the SAT or ACT, and that holds for fall 2027 applicants. For students in the fall 2025 entering class who sent scores, the middle 50% SAT was 1440–1510 with a median of 1480, and the middle 50% ACT was 33–35. Hamilton admitted 13.6% of its 8,904 first-year applicants.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Hamilton College's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Hamilton College test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Hamilton College is test-optional: first-year applicants choose whether to send SAT or ACT scores, and those who don't are given full consideration.
Superscoring. Hamilton College superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Hamilton College's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
Hamilton moved from its long-running test-flexible policy to test-optional for students entering in 2021, and it has stayed test-optional since. Every applicant gets full consideration with or without scores, and the college says it will not assume a missing score is a low one. Without scores, the admission committee puts more weight on grades, course rigor, activities and writing. If you do submit, Hamilton superscores both the SAT and ACT, does not require the science section of the enhanced ACT, and accepts self-reported scores; students who enroll send official results later. International applicants may still need to show English proficiency.
Hamilton College SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1440–1510, and the median was 1480.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1440 | 1480 | 1510 |
| Reading & Writing | 710 | 740 | 760 |
| Math | 710 | 740 | 770 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 35% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
Among enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who reported the SAT, the middle 50% scored 1440–1510, and the median was 1480. A quarter scored 1440 or lower, and a quarter scored 1510 or higher. Section ranges were 710–760 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 710–770 in Math.
Only 35% of enrolled students sent SAT scores, so this range describes a self-selected group, not the whole class. Hamilton tells applicants to submit scores if they believe the scores strengthen their application, and this range reflects the students who chose to share them.
Hamilton's testing page also gives a rough score level at which it encourages applicants to submit, and it reminds students to see their scores in context. A score near or above 1480 is in line with recent enrolled submitters, and 1510 or higher is in their top quarter.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Hamilton College ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 33–35 on the ACT, with a median of 34.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 33 | 34 | 35 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 13% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
The ACT was less common: 13% of the fall 2025 entering class reported it. Their middle 50% composite was 33–35, with a median of 34. Hamilton did not report ACT section ranges for this class.
Because Hamilton superscores the ACT, your best section scores across test dates are combined into one composite. A composite at or above 34 matches the middle of recent enrolled submitters. If yours is below 33, ask whether it strengthens your application, which is the question Hamilton itself suggests.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Hamilton College acceptance rate
Very competitive: 13.6% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants8,904
- Admitted1,210
- Acceptance rate13.6%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Early Decision I and Early Decision II (both binding); no Early Action.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Hamilton College 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Hamilton offers two binding Early Decision rounds, Early Decision I and Early Decision II, plus Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Action.
What to aim for
If you plan to send scores to Hamilton, aim for 1480 or higher on the SAT or 34 or higher on the ACT, and 1510 or 35 to sit in the top quarter of enrolled submitters. If your scores fall well below the middle range, applying without them is a normal choice here, and you will still get full consideration.
Hamilton reviews applications holistically. Its testing page names academic achievement, activities, the personal statement and recommendations as the core of the review, and no single factor decides an outcome. Your transcript and the rigor of your courses will matter whether or not you send scores.
How Hamilton College compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston University | 12.8% | 1470 | 1420–1510 | 33–34 | Test-optional |
| Middlebury College | 12.8% | 1500 | 1460–1530 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 13.3% | 1460 | 1370–1530 | 31–35 | Required |
| Georgetown University | 13.5% | 1480 | 1405–1530 | 32–35 | Required |
| Washington and Lee University | 13.5% | 1480 | 1430–1530 | 33–34 | Test-optional |
| Hamilton College | 13.6% | 1480 | 1440–1510 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is Hamilton College test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Hamilton College is test-optional: first-year applicants choose whether to send SAT or ACT scores, and those who don't are given full consideration. Hamilton College superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Hamilton College?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1480 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1440–1510, so a quarter scored 1510 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Hamilton College?
A score at or above 1510 puts you in the top quarter of Hamilton College's enrolled first-years, and 1440–1510 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for Hamilton College?
Hamilton College's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 33–35, with a median of 34 (fall 2025 entering class). A 35 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Hamilton College's acceptance rate?
Hamilton College admitted 13.6% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (1,210 of 8,904), which makes it very competitive.
How many Hamilton College students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 35% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 13% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Hamilton College?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.