Hamline University
#1 Best Education Colleges in Minnesota- Graduation Rate
- 59% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,106 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,744 C-
- 21% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 88% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.8 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Education Colleges in Minnesota.
Every $1 spent returns $20.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,639,591.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduates earn 50% more than the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $20.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Hamline University Matters
Hamline University is a private university in Saint Paul, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,776
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose Hamline University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 88% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1133–1391. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,744 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,106 ten years after enrolling — 50% above the typical college, against $23,770 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 49% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.71 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Hamline University is a solid choice for students looking for a welcoming environment where they can dive into subjects like Business, Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, or English. With an acceptance rate of 88%, it offers a good chance for many students to find their fit here. The community is supportive and geared towards helping students succeed in their studies and beyond, making it a great place for those who want to explore a range of academic interests.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $61,106 within ten years. This figure gives a real sense of the potential financial return on their investment in education. The affordability factor is also significant, with many students receiving financial aid to help manage costs. When students move into their careers, they often find opportunities that lead to upward mobility, although specific data on that is not available here.
In terms of the financial bottom line, the net price for attending Hamline after aid is about $20,744, with a median debt of $23,770. This means that many graduates are managing a reasonable debt load, which can lead to a more manageable financial future. Those who thrive here tend to be self-motivated and engaged, ready to take advantage of the diverse programs and supportive atmosphere that Hamline cultivates.
Rankings
- #1 Best Education Colleges in Minnesota
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota
- #4 Best Communications Colleges in Minnesota
- #5 Best Business Colleges in Minnesota
- #7 Best Colleges in Minnesota
- #7 Best Psychology Colleges in Minnesota
- #7 Best Biology Colleges in Minnesota
- #9 Best Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
Can I Get In?
How selective Hamline University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Hamline University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Hamline University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,160. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1160
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 1133–1391
- ACT Range
- 19–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 49%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,221
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 23%
- Applicants
- 3,840
- Admitted
- 3,093
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Hamline University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hamline University is $50,004, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,744. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,371 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,770 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $50,004
- Out-of-State
- $50,004
- Avg Net Price
- $20,744
- Median Debt
- $23,770
- Pell Grant Rate
- 41%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 58%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,371
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,001
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,767
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,196
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Hamline University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Hamline University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hamline University earn a median of $61,106, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,139
- 8 Years
- $55,414
- 10 Years
- $61,106
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 77%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (286)
- 55%
- 100% (286)
- 55%
- 100% (286)
- 55%
- 100% (286)
- 55%
How Hamline Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Hamline University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Hamline University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,744/year ($82,976 total). Graduates earn $61,106 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,722,567 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,639,591 (20.8× your investment). The median debt is $23,770, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 59% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $82,976
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,722,567
- Net Return
- $1,639,591
- ROI Multiple
- 20.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,744
- Median Debt
- $23,770
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Hamline University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hamline University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.49%, well above the typical college. About 4.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.49%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 31.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $128,121
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,901,418
- Investment Income
- $-24,182,586
Top Programs
The fields Hamline University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 18% $68,749 early-career
- Social Sciences 15% $58,290 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 11% $41,912 early-career
- Psychology 9% $40,933 early-career
- Education 9% $47,854 early-career
- Legal Studies 6% $49,956 early-career
- Communications 5% $35,271 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $42,718 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Hamline University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Hamline University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Hamline University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,160. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Hamline University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hamline University is $50,004, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,744. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,371 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,770 in federal student loans.
Is Hamline University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hamline University earn a median of $61,106, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Hamline University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hamline University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.49%, well above the typical college. About 4.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Hamline University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Hamline University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Hamline University.
- Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · Close peer67% grad $59,986 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- McDaniel CollegeWestminster, MD · Close peer64% grad $60,663 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St. Mary's UniversitySan Antonio, TX · Close peer60% grad $56,955 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WA · Close peer62% grad $64,506 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids, IA · Close peer57% grad $60,787 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN · Close peer73% grad $63,764 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Hamline University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Hamline University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note