Amherst vs. Olin College

Amherst College and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 25.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $43,184 at Olin College.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Olin College 96%.
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Amherst College Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Olin College25.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Olin College1493-1558
Average net price
Amherst $24,135 less
Amherst$19,049
Olin College$43,184
In-state tuition
Olin College $4,082 less
Amherst$70,480
Olin College$66,398
Out-of-state tuition
Olin College $4,082 less
Amherst$70,480
Olin College$66,398
Graduation rate
Amherst +0 pts
Amherst96%
Olin College96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$82,000
Amherst$82,000
Olin College-

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Amherst and Olin College with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Amherst Check my chances at Olin College
  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Olin College 1,000
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Olin College 252
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Olin College 25.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Olin College 43.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Olin College 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Olin College
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Olin College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Olin College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Olin College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Olin College High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Olin College 1493-1558
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Olin College
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Olin College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Olin College Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Olin College $66,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Olin College $66,398
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Olin College $20,810
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Olin College $43,184
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Olin College $43,290
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Olin College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Olin College 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Olin College N/A
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Olin College -
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Olin College $14,710
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Olin College $152
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Olin College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Olin College
    • Engineering (100%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Olin College Needham, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Olin College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Olin College 405
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Olin College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Amherst College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 405 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 11.6% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($18,390 vs. $20,810).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Amherst than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $4,082 more per year; $70,480 vs. $66,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 58.4% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($68,591 vs. $43,290).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Olin College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Olin College (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $1,735 lower median loan debt than Olin College graduates ($12,975 vs. $14,710).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Olin College graduates ($134 vs. $152).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Amherst College
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges