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Hillsdale College

Hillsdale, MI·Private nonprofit·1,563 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for competitive applicants and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. strong 85% graduation rate; 96% freshman retention — students rarely leave.

21%
Accept
1,563
Students
N/A
Net Price
85%
Grad Rate
N/A
Earnings
10 yr
N/A
Debt

About This School

Hillsdale College is a private nonprofit institution located in Hillsdale, Michigan with approximately 1,563 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 21% of applicants. In-state tuition is $32,092 per year. The graduation rate is 85%.

Hillsdale College is a private, conservative, Christian liberal arts college in Hillsdale, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1844 by members of the Free Will Baptists. Women were admitted to the college from its foundation, making the college the second-oldest coeducational institution in the United States, after Oberlin College (1837). Hillsdale's required core curriculum includes courses on the Great Books, the U.S. Constitution, theology, biology, chemistry, and physics. The college's mission statement identifies it as a "nonsectarian Christian institution".

This is a strong option for students seeking a rigorous, values-driven liberal arts education — a 96% freshman retention rate and 85% graduation rate signal that students who enroll tend to thrive and finish. The required core curriculum covering Great Books, the Constitution, and the sciences gives graduates a genuinely distinctive foundation, and the selective 21% acceptance rate means you'll be surrounded by motivated peers. That said, Hillsdale's unapologetically conservative, Christian identity is a defining feature of campus life, not a footnote — students who don't align with that culture may find it a poor fit socially and academically.

Founded
1844
Setting
Distant town

Popular Programs

Social Sciences22%
Biological Sciences16%
Business & Marketing14%
English12%
Mathematics5%
Psychology4%
Visual & Performing Arts3%
Communications2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Erik PrinceBob ClarkRuta SepetysElizebeth Smith FriedmanBrent WeeksRobert Patrick MurphyAlbert J. HopkinsFrank D. Baldwin

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1433
Reading 75th %ile760
Math 75th %ile750

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite32

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$32,092
Out-of-State Tuition
$32,092
Avg Net Price
N/A
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants0%
Median debt at graduationN/A

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
85%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
96%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
N/A
after enrollment
Median Debt
N/A
at graduation

Contact & Location

Address

Hillsdale College

33 E College St

Hillsdale, MI 49242

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Michigan

Browse all Michigan schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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