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Hobart and William Smith Colleges

#75 in Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America
  • A-
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • Geneva, NY
  • 592 reviews
    Apply NowVisit Campus
    A-
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      A-
    2. Value
      A
    3. Diversity
      A-
    4. Campus
      C+
    5. Athletics
      B+
    6. Party Scene
      B+
    7. Professors
      A
    8. Location
      B-
    9. Dorms
      C+
    10. Campus Food
      C-
    11. Student Life
      B-
    12. Safety
      C
    View Full Report Card
    About Hobart and William Smith Colleges...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division III (with football)
    Athletic Conference
    Liberty League
    Address
    300 Pulteney St.
    Geneva, NY 14456
    Website
    hws.edu
    From Hobart and William Smith Colleges

    Hobart and William Smith are independent liberal arts colleges located on the shore of Seneca Lake in Geneva, N.Y. With only one required course and eight educational goals, the HWS curriculum is designed to give you the flexibility to pursue your passions while also gaining a robust foundation that will prepare you for the future. Working closely with your faculty advisers, you will design an individualized academic plan tailored to your interests, strengths and goals. Vigorous programs in career development, study abroad, service, leadership, entrepreneurship and athletics encourage exploration and foster global citizenship, collaboration, civic engagement and cultural competence.

    Hobart and William Smith Colleges Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Application Deadline
    February 1
    Acceptance Rate
    64%
    SAT Range
    1150-1330
    ACT Range
    25-30
    Application Fee
    $0
    SAT/ACT
    Considered but not required
    High School GPA
    Considered but not required
    Accepts Common App
    Yes

    Cost

    Net Price
    $42,206/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $25,110/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    97%

    Academics

    Professors
    A
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    10:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    No
    88%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.32 responses
    47%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.38 responses
    46%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.39 responses

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Economics
      69 Graduates
    • Communications
      56 Graduates
    • Political Science and Government
      43 Graduates
    • Psychology
      41 Graduates
    • Biology
      37 Graduates
    • English
      31 Graduates
    • Natural Resources Conservation and Management
      30 Graduates
    • History
      29 Graduates
    • Public Policy Analysis
      29 Graduates
    • Architecture
      25 Graduates

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    2,220Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    17
    Undergrads Over 25
    0%
    Pell Grant
    18%
    Varsity Athletes
    26%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 25 responses
    Report
    • Preppy, Rich, Elitist, East Coast, Snobby.
      60%
    • Preppy, East Coast
      20%
    • Engaged
      8%
    • Rich, East Coast, Snobby
      8%
    • Diverse
      4%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    96%
    Poll
    64%
    of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join.47 responses
    Poll
    53%
    of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.58 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 26 responses
    Report
    • Preppy, Rich, Elitist, East Coast, Snobby.
      46%
    • Small, Preppy, Jocky, Work Hard Party Hard
      23%
    • Community
      8%
    • Small, Rich, Work Hard, Athletic, East Coast
      8%
    • Athletic, liberal, privileged
      4%
    • Conservative, small, snobby, rich, close-minded
      4%
    • Small, liberal arts, athletic, academic
      4%

      After College

      Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
      $53,500/ year
      National
      $33,028
      Graduation Rate
      81%
      National
      49%
      Employed 2 Years After Graduation
      94%
      National
      83%
      81%
      of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.21 responses
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      Hobart and William Smith Colleges Reviews

      592 reviews
      All Categories
      Hobart and William Smith Colleges is definitely for a specific type of person. I am involved in the English department where the staff are wonderful and super helpful. Socially, things get complicated, the social scene is structured around friend groups where people are often kicked out of. The sex culture is rampant in casual sex and I urge incoming freshmen to be careful. If one plays their cards right, HWS can be a perfect place. The campus is astoundingly beautiful.Theme houses rock!
      Start Your Review of Hobart and William Smith Colleges
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      The freedom that comes with the academics at HWS is unrivaled. My minor, Social Justice Studies, emphasizes interdisciplinary learning in a way that has given me the chance to explore a wide variety of departments across the HWS curriculum, including theatre, anthropology, LGBT studies and political science. I’ve always believed in the power of people helping people, and minoring in Social Justice Studies provided me with the tools to create meaningful change in the community. I truly believe that I am a better friend, peer, and citizen because of it.
      I love this place! I was choosing between here and Villanova, so glad I chose HWS. Hobart is a classic college ecpirence. The teachers are some of the best, and classes are so small, you have a lot of access to them. I have met some of the best people here too, friends I will have for life! The Campus is so beautiful right on the lake make spring so much fun. Lots of Hanging out on boats and chilling on the shoars of Seneca Lake. One of the best career services going, they are so good to work with and great at getting your high paying jobs after college.