Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College

Hillsdale, MI, USA

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.

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
0
100
20%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted.November 1
Fall Regular DecisionMarch 15
Spring Regular DecisionNovember 1

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
28%
Out-Of-State Students
73%
38%
Submitting ACT
22%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 32
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1440
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
1,678
Total Number of Undergrads
1,578
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
78%
20-39 Students
20%
40-99 Students
1%
0
100
74%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
86%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
8:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$22,835
Calculate your net 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.
$30,780
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.
$30,902
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$13,180
Books and Supplies
$1200

Aid & Grants

0
100
71%
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.
Average Aid Per Year
$22,437
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 Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$22,437

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
$10,899
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.
$32,371

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
50%
50%
Student Organizations
124
Size of Town
Suburb or town
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is not checked
No
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is not checked
No

Housing

0
100
74%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Chargers
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Great Midwest Athletic Conference

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Detroit
Chicago
Washington
Grand Rapids
New York
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
99%

What Students Are Saying

Hillsdale 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
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
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