Amherst vs. Clark University

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

Amherst College
Clark University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 39.5%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $33,865 at Clark University.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Clark University 80%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Clark University $50,100 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Clark University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Clark University39.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Clark University1288-1460
Average net price
Amherst $14,816 less
Amherst$19,049
Clark University$33,865
In-state tuition
Clark University $11,613 less
Amherst$70,480
Clark University$58,867
Out-of-state tuition
Clark University $11,613 less
Amherst$70,480
Clark University$58,867
Graduation rate
Amherst +16 pts
Amherst96%
Clark University80%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$31,900
Amherst$82,000
Clark University$50,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Clark University 11,452
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Clark University 4,528
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Clark University 39.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Clark University 10.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Clark University 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Clark University 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Clark University 3.69
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Clark University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Clark University Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Clark University Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Clark University 1288-1460
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Clark University 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Clark University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Clark University Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Clark University $58,867
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Clark University $58,867
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Clark University $12,500
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Clark University $33,865
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Clark University $34,667
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Clark University 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Clark University 80%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Clark University $50,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Clark University 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Clark University $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Clark University $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Clark University 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Clark University
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Psychology (17%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Clark University Worcester, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Clark University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Clark University 3,925
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Clark University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Clark University #148

Comparable Facts

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

Clark University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,925 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Clark University is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clark University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Clark University 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 32% lower than at Amherst College ($12,500 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.7% higher at Amherst than at Clark University (about $11,613 more per year; $70,480 vs. $58,867).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clark University than at Amherst College (99% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 97.9% larger than aid received by Clark University students ($68,591 vs. $34,667).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Amherst than at Clark University (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Clark University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Clark University Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at Clark University (3.69).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 10.7% at Clark University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than Clark University graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clark University graduates ($134 vs. $279).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clark 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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