Amherst vs. City College of New York

Amherst College and CUNY City College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
CUNY City College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 60%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: City College of New York. Average net price is $4,664 vs $19,049 at Amherst.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs City College of New York 40%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs City College of New York $49,800 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College CUNY City College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
City College of New York60%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
City College of New York1070-1430
Average net price
City College of New York $14,385 less
Amherst$19,049
City College of New York$4,664
In-state tuition
City College of New York $63,140 less
Amherst$70,480
City College of New York$7,340
Out-of-state tuition
City College of New York $55,190 less
Amherst$70,480
City College of New York$15,290
Graduation rate
Amherst +56 pts
Amherst96%
City College of New York40%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$32,200
Amherst$82,000
City College of New York$49,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • City College of New York 34,322
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • City College of New York 20,600
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • City College of New York 60%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • City College of New York 12.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • City College of New York 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • City College of New York
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • City College of New York 3.2
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • City College of New York B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • City College of New York Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • City College of New York Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • City College of New York 1070-1430
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • City College of New York
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • City College of New York Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • City College of New York Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • City College of New York $7,340
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • City College of New York $15,290
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • City College of New York $18,840
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • City College of New York $4,664
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • City College of New York $9,763
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • City College of New York 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • City College of New York 40%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • City College of New York $49,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • City College of New York 52%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • City College of New York $11,400
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • City College of New York $117
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • City College of New York 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • City College of New York
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • City College of New York New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • City College of New York Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • City College of New York 15,544
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • City College of New York Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • City College of New York #313

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with CUNY City College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

CUNY City College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); CUNY City College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; CUNY City College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 2.4% lower than at CUNY City College ($18,390 vs. $18,840).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 361% higher at Amherst than at CUNY City College (about $55,190 more per year; $70,480 vs. $15,290).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY City College than at Amherst College (88% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 602.6% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($68,591 vs. $9,763).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and City College of New York.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.71 higher than at City College of New York (3.2).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 12.3% at City College of New York.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $1,575 lower median loan debt than Amherst graduates ($11,400 vs. $12,975).
  • Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Amherst graduates ($117 vs. $134).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 52%).

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

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