AU vs. Amherst

American University and Amherst College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 62%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $39,676 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

American University Amherst College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
AU62%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
AU1280-1460
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
Amherst $20,627 less
AU$39,676
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
AU $11,709 less
AU$58,771
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
AU $11,709 less
AU$58,771
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Amherst +19 pts
AU77%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$17,200
AU$64,800
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 2.2% lower than at Amherst College ($17,982 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at Amherst than at American University (about $11,709 more per year; $70,480 vs. $58,771).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Amherst College (67% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 88.7% larger than aid received by American University students ($68,591 vs. $36,349).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Amherst than at AU (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at AU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $11,275 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($12,975 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($134 vs. $250).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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