Amherst vs. Brown

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

Amherst College
Brown University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Brown (5.4% admitted vs 9%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $26,256 at Brown.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Brown 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Brown $87,600 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Brown University
Acceptance rate
Brown more selective
Amherst9%
Brown5.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brown higher
Amherst1490-1580
Brown1510-1580
Average net price
Amherst $7,207 less
Amherst$19,049
Brown$26,256
In-state tuition
Amherst $932 less
Amherst$70,480
Brown$71,412
Out-of-state tuition
Amherst $932 less
Amherst$70,480
Brown$71,412
Graduation rate
Amherst +1 pts
Amherst96%
Brown95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brown +$5,600
Amherst$82,000
Brown$87,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Brown 48,904
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Brown 2,638
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Brown 5.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Brown 65.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Brown 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Brown 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Brown 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Brown A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Brown Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Brown Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Brown 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Brown 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Brown Required
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Brown Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Brown $71,412
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Brown $71,412
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Brown $17,444
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Brown $26,256
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Brown $61,392
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Brown 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Brown 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Brown $87,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Brown 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Brown $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Brown $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Brown 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Brown
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Brown Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Brown Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Brown 11,956
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Brown Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Brown #11

Comparable Facts

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

Brown University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 5.1% lower than at Amherst College ($17,444 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Brown than at Amherst College (about $932 more per year; $71,412 vs. $70,480).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Brown University (59% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 11.7% larger than aid received by Brown University students ($68,591 vs. $61,392).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Brown (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Amherst, required at Brown.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Brown average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Amherst (3.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $2,025 lower median loan debt than Brown graduates ($12,975 vs. $15,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brown graduates ($134 vs. $155).
  • More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 83%).

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

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