Amherst vs. Brandeis University

Should I go to Amherst College or Brandeis University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Amherst or Brandeis University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Amherst College vs. Brandeis University comparison
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Amherst College Brandeis University
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Overview

Amherst Brandeis University
Location Amherst, MA Waltham, MA
Setting Town Fringe Small City
Enrollment 1,898 5,581
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #16 #90
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website amherst.edu brandeis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Amherst Brandeis University
Tuition (In State) $63,500 $61,724
Tuition (Out of State) $63,500 $61,724
Room & Board $16,750 $17,092
Avg Net Price $21,367 $45,565
Avg Grant Aid $58,693 $33,733
% Receiving Grant Aid 58% 64%

Admission

Amherst Brandeis University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,864 9,917
Admitted 1,079 3,908
Acceptance Rate 7.3% 39.4%
Enrolled % 43.3% 25.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.91 3.84
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Elite Exceptional
Applicant Competition Extreme High
ACT Range 32/35 31/34
SAT Range 1420/1550 1370/1530
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 2, 2024

Academics

Amherst Brandeis University
Student to Faculty Ratio 7:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • English and Literature (12%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Amherst Brandeis University
Graduation Rate 96% 91%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $82,000 $66,700
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $12,975 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $134 $279

Diversity

Amherst Brandeis University
% Men 48% 43%
% Women 52% 57%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 42% 47%
% Black 12% 5%
% Hispanic 13% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 10% 20%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

Amherst Brandeis University
% In-State 13% 22%
% Out-of-State 74% 57%

Campus

Amherst Brandeis University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Brandeis University is larger than than Amherst based on total student enrollment (5,581 students vs. 1,898 students)

Amherst vs. Brandeis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Brandeis University?

  • Amherst College is 2.9% more expensive to attend than Brandeis University for in-state tuition ($63,500.00 vs. $61,724.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.9% higher at Amherst than Brandeis University ($63,500.00 vs. $61,724.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Brandeis University ($21,367 vs. $45,565)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 2% lower than costs at Brandeis University ($16,750 vs. $17,092)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Brandeis University than Amherst College (64% vs. 58%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 74% larger than aid received Brandeis University ($58,693 vs. $33,733)

Amherst vs. Brandeis University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Brandeis University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Brandeis University or Amherst .

  • The average SAT score at Amherst College (1451) is 91 points higher than at Brandeis University (1360)
  • Incoming Amherst students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (33) than students at Brandeis University (31)
  • Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Brandeis University (3.84)
  • Brandeis University has a higher acceptance rate (39.4%) than Amherst (7.3%)

Amherst vs. Brandeis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Amherst or Brandeis University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Brandeis University and Amherst.

  • The graduation rate at Amherst is higher than Brandeis University (96% vs. 91%)
  • Graduates from Amherst College earn on average $15,300 more per year than Brandeis University graduates after ten years. ($82,000 vs. $66,700)
  • Amherst College students graduate with a $14,025 lower median federal student loan debt than Brandeis University graduates. ($12,975 vs. $27,000)
  • Amherst graduates are paying $145 less per month on federal student loans than Brandeis University graduates. ($134 vs. $279)
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/