Mount Holyoke College
#4 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts- Graduation Rate
- 85% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,418 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $26,441 D
- 54% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 36% A
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.9 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts.
Every $1 spent returns $13.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,361,030.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 43% above the national college median.
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A 85% graduation rate — 48% above the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.60% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Mount Holyoke College Matters
Mount Holyoke College is a private liberal arts college in South Hadley, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. 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 Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 2,169
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts, English & Literature
Why students choose Mount Holyoke College
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
Selective — admits about 36% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1380–1530. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $26,441 a year after grants and scholarships — 54% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,418 ten years after enrolling — 43% above the typical college, against $22,902 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 16% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.79 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 36% and a graduation rate of 85%, Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, caters to students who are serious about their education and eager to engage deeply in their studies. The college excels in programs like Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology, and Computer Science & IT. This variety attracts students with diverse interests who are looking to explore their passions in an environment that encourages growth and collaboration.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $58,418 within a decade. That’s a solid figure that highlights the potential return on investment. While 22% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating some financial need, the overall affordability of the college is significant, as its supportive community often helps graduates advance into promising careers. This blend of academic rigor and supportive resources can help foster upward mobility for those who engage with the college’s offerings.
When considering the financials, the net price after aid is approximately $26,441, with a median debt of $22,902 upon graduation. This balance suggests that students can navigate their college expenses without being overwhelmed by debt. Those who thrive here tend to be driven, motivated individuals who value a tight-knit community and the opportunity to learn from their peers and faculty alike. Overall, Mount Holyoke is a place where students can grow academically and personally, preparing them for meaningful futures.
Rankings
- #4 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts
- #7 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #9 Most Test-Optional-Friendly Colleges
- #12 Best Biology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #14 Best Colleges in Massachusetts
- #14 Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
- #14 Best Master's Programs in Massachusetts
- #14 Best Computer Science Colleges in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Mount Holyoke College 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 Mount Holyoke College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Mount Holyoke College, located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 36%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,463. The graduation rate is roughly 85%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 36%
- Retention Rate
- 89%
- SAT Average
- 1463
- ACT Midpoint
- 33
- SAT Range
- 1380–1530
- ACT Range
- 32–35
- Full-Time Faculty
- 91%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,140
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.67
- First-Gen Students
- 19%
- Applicants
- 4,894
- Admitted
- 1,946
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Mount Holyoke College is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 27% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 27%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 13%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 2%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 46.2%
- vs 36.0% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 483 Early Decision applicants, 223 were admitted — a 46.2% admit rate, roughly 1.3× the 36.0% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 44% of the entering class (223 of 512 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 15% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
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 Mount Holyoke College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mount Holyoke College is $67,018, 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 $26,441. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,882 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,902 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $67,018
- Out-of-State
- $67,018
- Avg Net Price
- $26,441
- Median Debt
- $22,902
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 44%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,882
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,526
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,394
- Family Income $110K+
- $38,561
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 Mount Holyoke College — 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 Mount Holyoke College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $58,418, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,590
- 8 Years
- $55,754
- 10 Years
- $58,418
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (423)
- 80%
- 100% (423)
- 80%
- 100% (423)
- 80%
- 100% (423)
- 80%
How Mount 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 Mount Holyoke College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Mount Holyoke College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $26,441/year ($105,764 total). Graduates earn $58,418 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,466,794 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,361,030 (13.9× your investment). The median debt is $22,902, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 85% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $105,764
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,466,794
- Net Return
- $1,361,030
- ROI Multiple
- 13.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $26,441
- Median Debt
- $22,902
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 85%
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 Mount Holyoke College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mount Holyoke College 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 2.60%, among the highest in the country. About 6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 43.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $108,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.60%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 43.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $147,685
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,457,832
- Investment Income
- $-65,846,705
Top Programs
The fields Mount Holyoke College 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.
- Social Sciences 19% $54,296 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 16% $39,343 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 11% $31,312 early-career
- English & Literature 8% $34,410 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- Psychology 5% $36,132 early-career
- Physical Sciences 5%
- Education 4% $43,440 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 Mount Holyoke College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Mount Holyoke College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Mount Holyoke College, located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 36%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,463. The graduation rate is roughly 85%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mount Holyoke College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mount Holyoke College is $67,018, 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 $26,441. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,882 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,902 in federal student loans.
Is Mount Holyoke College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $58,418, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Mount Holyoke College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mount Holyoke College 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 2.60%, among the highest in the country. About 6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 43.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $108,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Mount Holyoke College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mount Holyoke College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 19% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Mount Holyoke College offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. Mount Holyoke College offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 46%, about 1.3 times the overall 36% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 44% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if Mount Holyoke College is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Mount Holyoke College really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 15% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Mount Holyoke College (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Mount Holyoke College?
About 27% of admitted students choose to enroll at Mount Holyoke College — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Mount Holyoke College.
- Clark UniversityWorcester, MA · Close peer77% grad $62,381 earn 40% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Macalester CollegeSaint Paul, MN · Close peer89% grad $63,878 earn 29% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA · Close peer89% grad $64,027 earn 21% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Rollins CollegeWinter Park, FL · Close peer76% grad $58,295 earn 48% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Oberlin CollegeOberlin, OH · Close peer80% grad $58,343 earn 34% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL · Close peer74% grad $61,825 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Mount Holyoke College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mount Holyoke College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 19% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note