Hobart William Smith Colleges: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Geneva, New York · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026

Acceptance rate
67%
5,865 applicants
Median SAT
1320
Mid 50: 1185–1380
In-state tuition
$65,117
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$31,563
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private nonprofit university in Geneva, New York that admits about 67% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $31,563 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Economics, Communication and Media Studies and Natural Resources Conservation and Research, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 71% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 16.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private institution located in Geneva, New York with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Hobart William Smith Colleges admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 67%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1320 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $31,563 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Hobart William Smith Colleges?

64% of enrolled students at Hobart William Smith Colleges had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.83, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
33.8%
3.75–3.99
11.6%
3.50–3.74
19.1%
3.25–3.49
15.8%
3.00–3.24
11.6%
2.50–2.99
7.1%
Below 2.50
1.1%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Hobart William Smith Colleges.

What does Hobart William Smith Colleges weight in admissions?

Hobart William Smith Colleges reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important6 factors
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

SAT and ACT scores Hobart William Smith Colleges typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–685, with an EBRW midpoint near 635. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1185
50th percentile1320
75th percentile1380
% submitting SAT22.7%
ACT Composite
25th percentile26.5
50th percentile30
75th percentile32
% submitting ACT5.5%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class27.2%
Top 25% of class62.1%
Top 50% of class89.3%
% submitting class rank21.1%

How much does Hobart William Smith Colleges actually cost?

Published tuition is $65,117 for in-state students and $65,117 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,768 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $31,563 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 25% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition
Room and board$16,200
Average net price (after aid)$31,563
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for Hobart William Smith Colleges

Regular admission
Regular deadlineFebruary 1
Notification dateMarch 1
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 15
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 15
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)57%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 15

Will my child graduate from Hobart William Smith Colleges?

These predict outcomes at Hobart William Smith Colleges better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
88.1%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
62.4%
finished on time
6-year graduation
70.9%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Hobart William Smith Colleges

The most popular undergraduate programs at Hobart William Smith Colleges, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Communication and Media Studies and Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Across all programs, Hobart William Smith Colleges confers roughly 350 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $84,370 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Economics70$84,370
Communication and Media Studies63$70,320
Natural Resources Conservation and Research54$70,359
Psychology, General42
Biology, General34
Political Science and Government31
History30$65,922
Architecture and Related Services, Other26
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Hobart William Smith Colleges safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Hobart William Smith Colleges disclosed 29 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 16.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 9 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
29
16.2 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
2
1.12 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
9
5.04 per 1,000
Burglary
9
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 1,786 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Hobart William Smith Colleges?

About 85% of undergraduates at Hobart William Smith Colleges live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 1% of men join a fraternity and 8% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
85%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
1%
of men
In sororities
8%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Hobart William Smith Colleges.

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Common questions parents ask about Hobart William Smith Colleges

What GPA do I need for Hobart William Smith Colleges?

64% of enrolled students at Hobart William Smith Colleges had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.83, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Hobart William Smith Colleges typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–685, with an EBRW midpoint near 635. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32.

How much does Hobart William Smith Colleges actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Hobart William Smith Colleges after grants and scholarships is $31,563 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $65,117. Budget against the net figure.

Is Hobart William Smith Colleges realistic for my child?

Hobart William Smith Colleges admits 67% of applicants, so 580–685 SAT Math is target range and below 580 is a reach. Then check the $31,563 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Hobart William Smith Colleges?

Hobart William Smith Colleges accepts about 67% of applicants out of roughly 5,865 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is Hobart William Smith Colleges test-optional?

Yes. Hobart William Smith Colleges is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Hobart William Smith Colleges?

About 71% of students at Hobart William Smith Colleges graduate within six years, and 62% finish in four years. 88% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Hobart William Smith Colleges?

Hobart William Smith Colleges's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 57%, compared with its overall rate of 67%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.

What does Hobart William Smith Colleges look for in applicants?

Hobart William Smith Colleges rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Hobart William Smith Colleges a public or private school, and where is it located?

Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private nonprofit institution located in Geneva, New York.

What are the most popular majors at Hobart William Smith Colleges?

The largest undergraduate majors at Hobart William Smith Colleges by annual graduates are Economics, Communication and Media Studies and Natural Resources Conservation and Research. The school awards about 350 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Hobart William Smith Colleges safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Hobart William Smith Colleges reported 29 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 16.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Hobart William Smith Colleges?

At Hobart William Smith Colleges, 85% of undergraduates live on campus, 1% of men are in fraternities, 8% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Hobart William Smith Colleges, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers