Amherst vs. MHC

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

Amherst College
Mount Holyoke College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 36%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $32,526 at MHC.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs MHC 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs MHC $50,000 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Mount Holyoke College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
MHC36%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
MHC1380-1530
Average net price
Amherst $13,477 less
Amherst$19,049
MHC$32,526
In-state tuition
MHC $3,462 less
Amherst$70,480
MHC$67,018
Out-of-state tuition
MHC $3,462 less
Amherst$70,480
MHC$67,018
Graduation rate
Amherst +11 pts
Amherst96%
MHC85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$32,000
Amherst$82,000
MHC$50,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • MHC 5,226
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • MHC 1,883
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • MHC 36%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • MHC 27.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • MHC 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • MHC 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • MHC 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • MHC A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • MHC Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • MHC High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • MHC 1380-1530
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • MHC 32-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • MHC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • MHC Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • MHC $67,018
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • MHC $67,018
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • MHC $19,684
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • MHC $32,526
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • MHC $52,418
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • MHC 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • MHC 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • MHC $50,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • MHC 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • MHC $21,206
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • MHC $219
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • MHC 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • MHC
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • MHC South Hadley, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • MHC Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • MHC 2,275
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • MHC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • MHC #81

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Mount Holyoke College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Mount Holyoke College is in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Mount Holyoke College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 6.6% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($18,390 vs. $19,684).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Amherst than at Mount Holyoke College (about $3,462 more per year; $70,480 vs. $67,018).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Amherst College (77% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 30.9% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($68,591 vs. $52,418).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Amherst than at MHC (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and MHC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; MHC Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at MHC (3.87).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 27.2% at MHC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $8,231 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($12,975 vs. $21,206).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($134 vs. $219).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC 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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