The College has partnered with the University of Pennsylvania (education), Washington University in St. Louis (computer science and engineering), and the University of Chicago (humanities and other programs) to develop these pathways, with additional partnerships forthcoming.
Students admitted to the joint program will receive admission to Hamilton and early assurance of their admission to the graduate program. They will then join program-specific cohorts supported by Hamilton faculty and staff, with additional opportunities for engagement with the partnering institution throughout the student’s time at Hamilton.
“Many of the students and families we meet during the college search process also ask what comes after Hamilton; they are already thinking about the next step,” said John McLaughlin, vice president for enrollment management and dean of admission. “Hamilton’s partnerships with Penn, WashU, and the University of Chicago provide students with a degree of certainty that is rare in higher education, and particularly among liberal arts colleges: a clear, accessible pathway from undergraduate enrollment through graduate completion. Nobody can match the graduate education offered by these universities, and nobody can match the undergraduate education offered by Hamilton.”
“Hamilton’s partnerships with Penn, WashU, and the University of Chicago provide students with a degree of certainty that is rare in higher education, and particularly among liberal arts colleges: a clear, accessible pathway from undergraduate enrollment through graduate completion.”
This approach enables students to plan their Hamilton coursework strategically, take full advantage of the residential liberal arts experience by engaging in relevant curricular and co-curricular activities – such as studying abroad and conducting research – and embark on their senior year with confidence and purpose.
“Hamilton prepares students in a fundamentally different way because it’s not just about what they study, but how they learn to engage with ideas and with other people,” said President Steven Tepper. “The kind of preparation that a liberal arts institution like Hamilton offers — rooted in collaboration, communication, and critical thinking — is what graduate programs and employers consistently look for. For our students, these new partnerships illustrate that what they do here will be an exceptional foundation for their program and life beyond that.”
Students may benefit from application fee waivers, scholarships, or opportunities to complete graduate degrees on an accelerated timeline, reducing both the time and cost required to earn an advanced degree.
Inaugural Partnerships
Each partnership is designed to support students at different points in their college experience, building on the foundation of Hamilton’s rigorous liberal arts education. Students entering Hamilton in Fall 2027 and future classes will be eligible for these programs.
Participation and admission are subject to each institution’s requirements and review process.
University of Pennsylvania
Penn Graduate School of Education (GSE)
- A broad view of education and its impact: Students explore areas such as education policy, higher education, and learning sciences, examining how education shapes institutions and communities.
- Preparation through a liberal arts lens: Coursework, research, and campus experiences at Hamilton help students build the writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills central to the field.
- A direct path to advanced study: After meeting program requirements, students transition into Penn GSE master’s programs to deepen their expertise and expand their impact.
Washington University in St. Louis
McKelvey School of Engineering
- Access to leading graduate programs: Students may apply during their junior or senior year to fields such as engineering, computer science, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
- Preparation for advanced technical fields: Students build the analytical and quantitative foundation for graduate study while developing the communication and problem-solving skills that define a Hamilton education.
- Accelerated timeline with financial support: Some programs can be completed in as little as 16 months, and admitted students receive a guaranteed 50% tuition scholarship.
University of Chicago
Advanced Scholars Program
- Early engagement with graduate study: Selected students begin exploring graduate-level work as early as their first year through the Advanced Scholars program.
- Flexible pathways across disciplines: Students may apply to roughly two dozen master’s programs across disciplines in the arts and humanities, such as Art History, English, Middle Eastern Studies, and Philosophy, as well as programs in the social and natural sciences.
- Additional support for applicants: Benefits include application fee waivers and a $5,000 scholarship for students who are admitted and who enroll.
Graduate Program Partnerships
The College has a long history of offering dual degree opportunities for students. Learn about additional partnerships in law and engineering.
Posted April 6, 2026
