Amherst vs. Hunter

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

Amherst College
CUNY Hunter College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 53.8%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Hunter. Average net price is $4,431 vs $19,049 at Amherst.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Hunter 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Hunter $48,800 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College CUNY Hunter College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Hunter53.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Hunter1100-1420
Average net price
Hunter $14,618 less
Amherst$19,049
Hunter$4,431
In-state tuition
Hunter $63,098 less
Amherst$70,480
Hunter$7,382
Out-of-state tuition
Hunter $55,148 less
Amherst$70,480
Hunter$15,332
Graduation rate
Amherst +50 pts
Amherst96%
Hunter46%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$33,200
Amherst$82,000
Hunter$48,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Hunter 32,271
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Hunter 17,362
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Hunter 53.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Hunter 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Hunter 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Hunter
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Hunter 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Hunter A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Hunter Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Hunter Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Hunter 1100-1420
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Hunter
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Hunter Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Hunter
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Hunter $7,382
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Hunter $15,332
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Hunter $11,832
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Hunter $4,431
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Hunter $9,755
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Hunter 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Hunter 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Hunter $48,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Hunter 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Hunter $11,548
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Hunter $119
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Hunter 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Hunter
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Psychology (16%)
    • English and Literature (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Hunter New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Hunter Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Hunter 22,538
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Hunter Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Hunter #297

Comparable Facts

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

CUNY Hunter College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (22,538 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); CUNY Hunter College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Hunter College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; CUNY Hunter College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Hunter College are 35.7% lower than at Amherst College ($11,832 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 359.7% higher at Amherst than at CUNY Hunter College (about $55,148 more per year; $70,480 vs. $15,332).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Hunter College than at Amherst College (87% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 603.1% larger than aid received by CUNY Hunter College students ($68,591 vs. $9,755).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Hunter.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at Hunter (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 16.7% at Hunter.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Hunter College graduates have a $1,427 lower median loan debt than Amherst graduates ($11,548 vs. $12,975).
  • Among borrowers, Hunter graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Amherst graduates ($119 vs. $134).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hunter students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 56%).

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

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