Amherst vs. Fordham

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

Amherst College
Fordham University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 59.3%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $48,190 at Fordham.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Fordham 78%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Fordham $64,200 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Fordham University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Fordham59.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Fordham1320-1480
Average net price
Amherst $29,141 less
Amherst$19,049
Fordham$48,190
In-state tuition
Fordham $5,565 less
Amherst$70,480
Fordham$64,915
Out-of-state tuition
Fordham $5,565 less
Amherst$70,480
Fordham$64,915
Graduation rate
Amherst +18 pts
Amherst96%
Fordham78%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$17,800
Amherst$82,000
Fordham$64,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Fordham 43,364
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Fordham 25,719
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Fordham 59.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Fordham 9.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Fordham 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Fordham 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Fordham 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Fordham A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Fordham Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Fordham Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Fordham 1320-1480
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Fordham 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Fordham Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Fordham Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Fordham $64,915
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Fordham $64,915
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Fordham $24,090
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Fordham $48,190
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Fordham $35,988
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Fordham 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Fordham 78%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Fordham $64,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Fordham 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Fordham $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Fordham $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Fordham 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Fordham
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Fordham Bronx, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Fordham Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Fordham 16,150
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Fordham Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Fordham #133

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 23.7% lower than at Fordham University ($18,390 vs. $24,090).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Amherst than at Fordham University (about $5,565 more per year; $70,480 vs. $64,915).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Amherst College (95% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 90.6% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($68,591 vs. $35,988).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Amherst than at Fordham (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Fordham.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at Fordham (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,025 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($134 vs. $268).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham 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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