Amherst vs. Emerson

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

Amherst College
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Emerson College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
Amherst $34,383 less
Amherst$19,049
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Emerson $13,424 less
Amherst$70,480
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $13,424 less
Amherst$70,480
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Amherst +15 pts
Amherst96%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$32,800
Amherst$82,000
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 12.1% lower than at Emerson College ($18,390 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23.5% higher at Amherst than at Emerson College (about $13,424 more per year; $70,480 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Amherst College (77% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 154.1% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($68,591 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Amherst than at Emerson (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $10,525 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($12,975 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($134 vs. $242).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 80%).

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

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