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Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, MA·Private nonprofit·2,198 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. strong 85% graduation rate; generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.

38%
Accept
2,198
Students
$29,562
Net Price
85%
Grad Rate
$53,900
Earnings
10 yr
$18,258
Debt

About This School

Mount Holyoke College is a private nonprofit institution located in South Hadley, Massachusetts with approximately 2,198 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 38% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $29,562 per year. The graduation rate is 85%, and the typical graduate earns $53,900 within 10 years of enrollment.

Mount Holyoke College is a private women's liberal arts college in South Hadley, Massachusetts, United States. It is the oldest member of the historic Seven Sisters colleges, a group of historically women’s colleges in the Northeastern United States. The college was founded in 1837 as the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary by Mary Lyon, a pioneer in education for women. Mount Holyoke is part of the Five College Consortium in Western Massachusetts.

Founded in 1837 as the oldest of the Seven Sisters, this women's liberal arts college offers a genuinely distinctive environment — small (2,198 undergrads), academically serious, and connected to four neighboring colleges through the Five College Consortium, which meaningfully expands course and social options. The numbers are encouraging: an 85% graduation rate, low median debt of $18,258, and a net price of ~$29,562/year suggest students are completing degrees without being buried financially. The one honest caveat is that median earnings of $53,900 a decade out are modest relative to some peer institutions, so students should think carefully about career planning — though this figure often understates outcomes for liberal arts grads who pursue graduate school.

Founded
1837
Setting
Large suburb

Popular Programs

Social Sciences18%
Biological Sciences16%
Visual & Performing Arts11%
Psychology9%
English6%
Computer Science6%
Physical Sciences4%
Mathematics3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Emily DickinsonChloé ZhaoVirginia ApgarElaine ChaoLucy StoneFrances PerkinsHelen Sawyer HoggSusan KareMaryanne Trump BarryLaura LoomerDorothy Hansine AndersenElla Grasso

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1422
Reading 75th %ile750
Math 75th %ile750

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite33

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$64,142
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,142
Avg Net Price
$29,562
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants20%
Median debt at graduation$18,258

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
85%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
90%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$53,900
after enrollment
Median Debt
$18,258
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$18,258
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$36,800
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$53,900
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.0x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White50%
Black5%
Hispanic/Latino9%
Asian7%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,198 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Mount Holyoke College

50 College Street

South Hadley, MA 01075-1489

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Massachusetts

Browse all Massachusetts 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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