Amherst vs. F&M

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

Amherst College
Franklin and Marshall College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 28.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $43,987 at F&M.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs F&M 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs F&M $61,900 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Franklin and Marshall College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
F&M28.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
F&M1310-1463
Average net price
Amherst $24,938 less
Amherst$19,049
F&M$43,987
In-state tuition
Amherst $314 less
Amherst$70,480
F&M$70,794
Out-of-state tuition
Amherst $314 less
Amherst$70,480
F&M$70,794
Graduation rate
Amherst +11 pts
Amherst96%
F&M85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$20,100
Amherst$82,000
F&M$61,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • F&M 9,881
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • F&M 2,785
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • F&M 28.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • F&M 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • F&M 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • F&M 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • F&M -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • F&M -
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • F&M Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • F&M High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • F&M 1310-1463
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • F&M 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • F&M Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • F&M Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • F&M $70,794
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • F&M $70,794
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • F&M $16,188
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • F&M $43,987
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • F&M $41,901
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • F&M 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • F&M 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • F&M $61,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • F&M 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • F&M $22,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • F&M $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • F&M 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • F&M
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • General Studies (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • F&M Lancaster, PA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • F&M Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • F&M 1,808
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • F&M Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • F&M #60

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Amherst College is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,808 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 12% lower than at Amherst College ($16,188 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at F&M than at Amherst College (about $314 more per year; $70,794 vs. $70,480).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at Amherst College (80% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 63.7% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($68,591 vs. $41,901).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Amherst than at F&M (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and F&M.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $9,025 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($12,975 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($134 vs. $227).
  • More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 83%).

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

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