Amherst vs. Brandeis University

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

Amherst College
Brandeis University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 40.5%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $43,550 at Brandeis University.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Brandeis University 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Brandeis University $66,700 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Brandeis University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Brandeis University40.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Brandeis University1390-1520
Average net price
Amherst $24,501 less
Amherst$19,049
Brandeis University$43,550
In-state tuition
Brandeis University $2,400 less
Amherst$70,480
Brandeis University$68,080
Out-of-state tuition
Brandeis University $2,400 less
Amherst$70,480
Brandeis University$68,080
Graduation rate
Amherst +5 pts
Amherst96%
Brandeis University91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$15,300
Amherst$82,000
Brandeis University$66,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Brandeis University Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Brandeis University 1390-1520
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Brandeis University 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Brandeis University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Brandeis University #91

Comparable Facts

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

Brandeis University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (5,205 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 7.8% lower than at Brandeis University ($18,390 vs. $19,944).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Amherst than at Brandeis University (about $2,400 more per year; $70,480 vs. $68,080).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at Amherst College (62% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 60.1% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($68,591 vs. $42,841).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Amherst than at Brandeis University (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Brandeis University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Brandeis University (3.84).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 17.3% at Brandeis University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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