Hamilton College

Phase: Formerly Accredited
Status: Voluntarily Surrendered Change of Accreditor
Accreditation Granted: January 1, 1921
Accreditation Ceased: September 30, 2025

Accreditation Actions

September 26, 2025
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of January 18, 2024. To accept the institution's request to voluntarily surrender its accreditation and terminate its membership effective September 30, 2025. To note that a teach-out plan and teach-out agreements are not necessary because the institution will retain its degree-granting authority from the New York State Department of Education and primary accreditation through another accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education. To note that the United States Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid determined reasonable cause for the change in accreditor and issued approval for the change in accreditor on November 25, 2024, pursuant to DCL ID GEN 25-03 dated May 1, 2025. To note receipt of written notification, dated September 2, 2025, that the United States Department of Education acknowledges the new accrediting agency as the institution's primary accrediting agency. To note further that the Commission has determined the institutional change of accrediting agency is voluntary pursuant to 34 C.F.R. 602.14(a). To note that MSCHE accreditation will cease on September 30, 2025. As of October 1, 2025, Hamilton College is no longer accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. To note the New England Commission of Higher Education is the institutional accreditor for the institution as of October 1, 2025, and will now serve as the designated Title IV gatekeeper for the institution. To note that student records will be maintained at Hamilton College, 198 College Hill Road, Clinton, NY 13323.
January 18, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by Commission action on October 17, 2023. To request a supplemental information report, due May 1, 2024, providing: (1) evidence of USDE's approval of the transfer of gatekeeper status to another accreditor, including verification that the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) is the designated gatekeeper for USDE (pursuant to DCL ID GEN 22-11 updated September 26, 2022, and DCL ID GEN 22-10 dated July 19, 2022) (Standard II); (2) written verification from NECHE of effective date for change in accreditors (Standard II); and (3) the effective date of the voluntary surrender (MARCHE Bylaws and Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures, and Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures).
October 31, 2023
To note the verification visit took place on July 10, 2023 to the main campus at 198 College Hill Road, Clinton, NY 13323.
October 17, 2023
To acknowledge receipt of the notification dated September 25, 2023, of the institution's intent to change their primary accreditor, voluntarily surrender accreditation, and terminate membership. To request a supplemental information report due December 1, 2023, providing: (1) evidence that State or federal requirements and approvals regarding the surrender of the institution's accreditation status have been obtained or are in progress and that the institution has ascertained and verified that any state or federal requirements related to surrender or loss of accreditation have been met (Standard II); (2) information regarding any implications of the surrender of title IV/student financial aid program participation including any correspondence or notification from the Federal Student Financial Aid Office of the USDE, and USDE's approval of the transfer of gatekeeper status to another accreditor, including verification that the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) is the designated gatekeeper for USDE (pursuant to DCL ID GEN 22-11 updated September 26, 2022, and DCL ID GEN 22-10 dated July 19, 2022) (Standard II); (3) copies of communications to the institution's community, including all board members, students, faculty, staff, and others with significant roles, related to the surrender of accreditation as appropriate (Standards II and VII, Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures); (4) relevant correspondence and/or written evidence of application with NECHE (Standard II); and (5) the anticipated date of the voluntary surrender (MARCHE Bylaws and Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures, and Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures). To note that a teach-out plan is not necessary because the institution will retain its degree granting authority from the New York State Education Department and primary accreditation through another accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education.
June 23, 2022
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029.
June 24, 2021
To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note that the institution hosted a virtual site visit in lieu of an on-site visit in accordance with the United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 17, 2020. To reaffirm accreditation. To request a supplemental information report, due March 1, 2022 documenting further evidence of (1) organized and systematic assessments that evaluate the extent of student achievement (Standard V) and (2) organized and systematic assessments that evaluate institutional effectiveness (Standard VI). To note that a verification visit is required by USDE guidelines and will be conducted within a reasonable period of time following the virtual site visit. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029.
August 27, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the alternative delivery method-distance education within the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind approval of this substantive change if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision and/or the requested substantive change is not implemented within one calendar year from the date of this action. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020-2021.
April 16, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of formal written notice from the institution in response to the Commission's request of March 9, 2020. To temporarily waive Substantive Change Policy and Procedures and allow the use of distance education to accommodate students impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions, in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 5, 2020. Continued use of distance education beyond the limitations of USDE guidelines will require substantive change approval in accordance with Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. This flexibility is not available for clock-hour courses that lead to licensure if the licensing body will not accept distance learning courses or hours or give credit for them toward the number of hours a student must complete. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020-2021.
November 17, 2016
To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. To commend the institution for the quality of the Periodic Review Report and process. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020-2021.
June 23, 2011
To reaffirm accreditation and to commend the institution for the quality of the self-study report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2016.