Amherst vs. Cornell

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

Amherst College
Cornell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cornell (8.8% admitted vs 9%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $26,361 at Cornell.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Cornell 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Cornell $98,400 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Cornell University
Acceptance rate
Cornell more selective
Amherst9%
Cornell8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Cornell1500-1570
Average net price
Amherst $7,312 less
Amherst$19,049
Cornell$26,361
In-state tuition
Cornell $1,166 less
Amherst$70,480
Cornell$69,314
Out-of-state tuition
Cornell $1,166 less
Amherst$70,480
Cornell$69,314
Graduation rate
Amherst +3 pts
Amherst96%
Cornell93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell +$16,400
Amherst$82,000
Cornell$98,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Cornell 62,993
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Cornell 5,516
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Cornell 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Cornell 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Cornell 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Cornell A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Cornell Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Cornell Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Cornell 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Cornell 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Cornell Required
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Cornell $19,428
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Cornell $26,361
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Cornell $61,779
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Cornell 48%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Cornell 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Cornell $98,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Cornell 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Cornell $12,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Cornell $124
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Cornell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Cornell Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Cornell 26,793
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Cornell #19

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Cornell University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 5.3% lower than at Cornell University ($18,390 vs. $19,428).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Amherst than at Cornell University (about $1,166 more per year; $70,480 vs. $69,314).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Cornell University (59% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 11% larger than aid received by Cornell University students ($68,591 vs. $61,779).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Cornell (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Amherst, required at Cornell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Cornell (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $975 lower median loan debt than Amherst graduates ($12,000 vs. $12,975).
  • Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Amherst graduates ($124 vs. $134).
  • More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (87% 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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