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Hillsdale , MI
Hillsdale College is a private liberal arts college located in Hillsdale, Michigan. Founded in 1844, it prides itself on its commitment to classical liberal education and the importance of intellectual and moral development. The college has a strong reputation for its rigorous academic programs, dedicated faculty, and emphasis on individual liberty.
Hillsdale College offers a wide range of majors and minors, including fields like economics, history, political science, and English. The curriculum is grounded in a core curriculum that underlines the importance of the liberal arts and includes courses in philosophy, literature, and history. The college follows a classical approach to education, encouraging students to think critically, communicate effectively, and develop a deep understanding of the ideas that shaped society throughout history.
One distinctive aspect of Hillsdale College is its commitment to the principles of liberty and limited government. It does not accept any federal or state funding, allowing it to preserve its independence and uphold its mission of educating students in the principles and practices of a free society. The college features a vibrant campus life, including numerous student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams. Hillsdale College is dedicated to shaping well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also morally and ethically responsible citizens.
Located in Hillsdale, MI, Hillsdale College is a private four-year college. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 20%. The freshman retention rate at Hillsdale College is 97% and the six-year graduation rate is 90%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is March 15. The transfer application deadline is March 15.
Here are some recent data on important things to consider about Hillsdale College.
Quick Facts
1,649
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$31,780
Tuition
8:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
90%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Read on to learn some relevant data about admission policy and requirements at Hillsdale College.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 659 in 2025. Hillsdale College has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. This renowned institution with a rich history offers an unparalleled learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
32% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 34% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 55% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 44% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 1% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 76 and 24 between 24-29.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 31 and the average GPA was 3.93. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Hillsdale College; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 714 and an average SAT Math score of 689.
Deadlines
The final day for applications to Hillsdale College is March 15. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is March 15.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Hillsdale College was 97% in 2025, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 90%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Obtaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Hillsdale College in 2025 was 1,792.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 76% for that year. 210 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 807 male and 818 female full-time students in 2025.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Hillsdale College estimated tuition costs.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $31,780 in 2025. Since this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,409.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 31,780 |
| Total Expense | $ 31,780 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for most students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Hillsdale College.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 166 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $24,639.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
447 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Hillsdale College is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 655.
$22,199
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 625 students overall (including freshmen) at Hillsdale College in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 156 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $26,870,520. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $750,569 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
8:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Hillsdale College was 8:1. That means that there were 8 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 278 teachers at this school. Out of that number, there were 180 men and 68 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Hillsdale College is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some info about campus life at Hillsdale College.
It has a campus size of 400 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
There are 90 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 17 percent of male and 23 of female students are active in different organizations at Hillsdale College. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is 1844 Society, followed by Young Americans for Freedom and Hillsdale College for Life. Other popular organizations at Hillsdale College are College Republicans and InterVarsity.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a passion for media and communication? Hillsdale College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Hillsdale College, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Hillsdale College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Hillsdale College.
Career Counselling
At Hillsdale College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this institution is 48,000 USD.
$48,000
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Hillsdale College is located in Hillsdale, MI.
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Hillsdale College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Hillsdale College is 31,780 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Hillsdale College is 20%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Hillsdale College is 97%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
