Amherst vs. Drexel

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

Amherst College
Drexel University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 79.4%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1340.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $42,801 at Drexel.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Drexel 68%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Drexel $77,400 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Drexel University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Drexel79.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Drexel1240-1440
Average net price
Amherst $23,752 less
Amherst$19,049
Drexel$42,801
In-state tuition
Drexel $8,068 less
Amherst$70,480
Drexel$62,412
Out-of-state tuition
Drexel $8,068 less
Amherst$70,480
Drexel$62,412
Graduation rate
Amherst +28 pts
Amherst96%
Drexel68%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$4,600
Amherst$82,000
Drexel$77,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Drexel 37,314
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Drexel 29,642
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Drexel 79.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Drexel 8.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Drexel 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Drexel 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Drexel 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Drexel A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Drexel Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Drexel
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Drexel 1240-1440
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Drexel 27-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Drexel Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Drexel Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Drexel $62,412
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Drexel $62,412
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Drexel $18,096
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Drexel $42,801
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Drexel $35,051
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Drexel 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Drexel 68%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Drexel $77,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Drexel 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Drexel $26,243
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Drexel $271
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Drexel 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Drexel
    • Health Professions (22%)
    • Business (21%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Drexel Philadelphia, PA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Drexel Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Drexel 21,153
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Drexel Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Drexel #118

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 1.6% lower than at Amherst College ($18,096 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Amherst than at Drexel University (about $8,068 more per year; $70,480 vs. $62,412).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 95.7% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($68,591 vs. $35,051).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Amherst than at Drexel (34 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Drexel.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at Drexel (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,268 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,243).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($134 vs. $271).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 77%).

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

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