Overview
Founded in 1844, Hillsdale College is a private, nonsectarian Christian, classical liberal arts college located on a picturesque 400-acre campus in southern Michigan. With a national reputation for operational independence from government subsidy, the College serves a student body of 1,460 students who study a rigorous, structured core curriculum rooted in the enduring truths of the Western world. Traditional, interdisciplinary, and pre-professional academic programs are led by distinguished teaching faculty whose first priority is the classroom. A vibrant student life is animated by an Honor Code signed by all students, challenging the goal of self-government. Graduates leave the College shaped by an experience purposed to “develop the minds and improve the hearts,” and successfully equipped not only for employment or graduate study, but also for the broader work of virtuous living.
Acceptance Rate:
21%
Average Net Price:
$24,762
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
4.0
Average ACT Composite
32
Average SAT Composite
1440
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $34,189 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $34,189 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $14,020 |
| Books and Supplies | $1200 |
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
75%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
Average Aid Per Year
$23,447
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$24,328
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$5,950,198
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$27,621,089
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$10,849
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$27,974
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Private
- Not for Profit
- Undenominational
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
3181
Students Applied
10%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
20
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted. | November 1 | |
| Fall Regular Decision | March 15 | |
| Spring Regular Decision | November 1 |
Applications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
30%
Submitting ACT
28%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 32
Average SAT Composite: 1440
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
4.0
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA
Admissions Resources
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
1,716
Total Number of Undergrads
1,573
0
100
76%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
90%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
8:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Summer Sessions
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
39
Faculty Overview
0
100
93%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
51
Countries Represented
16
Ethnicity
Student Organizations
139
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
No
On Campus Women's Center
No
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
67%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
No
0
100
99%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Chargers
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Great Midwest Athletic Conference
Intramural Sports
10
Sports Club
14
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Tennis
- Track and Field
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Hillsdale College Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
No
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Top 5 Cities
Detroit
Chicago
Washington
Grand Rapids
New York
Top 5 Employers
Amazong
Department of Defense
Deloitte
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
General Dynamics
Top 5 Sectors
Business Development
Education
Sales
Operations
Community and Social Services
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$27,974
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingHillsdale College is small, academically rigorous, and conservative. The size makes the class discussions and campus life extremely vibrant, as you get to know your fellow students very well in and out of class. The academic level is as high as the faculty can set it, a mindset linked to the conservative, individualistic, spirit that animates the school.
Nicholas from Ottawa Lake, MI
Freshman classes at Hillsdale make you think about the human condition on a deeper scale. The Western Heritage and Intro to Western Religion classes particularly cause some rearrangement in the students' manner of thinking about the world. Some of the classes that I have taken make me wish there were more hours in the day for me to study!
Maria from Glendale, AZ
Certainly. I have learned not just about my chosen fields, but about myself and what I have to contribute to the world--and also how I need to continue to grow in order to make that contribution. The one thing I would change is the way some professors seem to assume all students come in with certain knowledge and so they don't cover it in class, even in introductory classes. For instance, my professor for freshman English was a wonderful lecturer, but he asked us to write college-level literary analysis papers without actually explaining what literary analysis is. Not every high school teaches this, and unless you're taking AP courses or something, certainly doesn't teach it at the college level. Perhaps with the transition into the revised core curriculum over the next few years, this problem will be minimized.
Sharon from TX
Hillsdale is a liberal arts education with a rigorous core curriculum and brilliant, devoted professors and administration. The small campus provides access to personnel who can help students to achieve their goals. Any student seeking a personal, conservative liberal arts education will find a home at Hillsdale.
Natalie from Plymouth, MA
The best liberal arts college in the United States. The education and people are what make this college so great and unique.
Alexandria from Naples, FL
Hillsdale College is a unique experience for any up-and-coming student, especially those interested in politics. The school is small, but the atmosphere is like none you will ever experience. This school has something about it that makes it different and makes you want to know what is the good.
Dana from Carey, OH
The opportunity to learn here is incredible! The diverse offerings in the curriculum makes it somewhat difficult to choose my electives. Good thing I have four years here to take as many courses as possible.
Andrew from Madison, IN
Hillsdale is a great place to get a classic liberal arts education. Students learn to think for themselves, become critical thinkers, and appreciate the free market system. The small student body - 1400 students - lends itself to one-on-one attention from an internationally recognized faculty.
Alex from Wolverine Lake, MI
Hillsdale College is academically rigorous, with a strong reliance on Core classes. It will challenge all of its students to be their best, not only in class, but in other aspects of life. However, it is a school that you will either love, or hate, depending on your beliefs.
Joshua from Dorr, MI
Hillsdale is a community of faculty and students pursuing learning together. The professors love to teach and the students love to learn. Because the classes and the campus as a whole are small, students have the opportunity to develop lasting relationships with faculty and students with diverse subject concentrations.
Margaret from WA
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