Amherst vs. NYU

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

Amherst College
New York University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 9.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $30,325 at NYU.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs NYU 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs NYU $76,000 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College New York University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
NYU9.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
NYU1480-1560
Average net price
Amherst $11,276 less
Amherst$19,049
NYU$30,325
In-state tuition
NYU $7,684 less
Amherst$70,480
NYU$62,796
Out-of-state tuition
NYU $7,684 less
Amherst$70,480
NYU$62,796
Graduation rate
Amherst +10 pts
Amherst96%
NYU86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$6,000
Amherst$82,000
NYU$76,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • NYU 110,807
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • NYU 10,232
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • NYU 9.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • NYU 55.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • NYU 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • NYU 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • NYU 3.79
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • NYU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • NYU Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • NYU Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • NYU 1480-1560
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • NYU 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • NYU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • NYU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • NYU $62,796
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • NYU $62,796
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • NYU $23,530
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • NYU $30,325
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • NYU $53,901
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • NYU 37%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • NYU 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • NYU $76,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • NYU 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • NYU $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • NYU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • NYU 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • NYU
    • Business (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • NYU New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • NYU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • NYU 56,832
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • NYU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • NYU #43

Comparable Facts

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

New York University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (56,832 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); New York University is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. New York University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; New York University 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 21.8% lower than at New York University ($18,390 vs. $23,530).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Amherst than at New York University (about $7,684 more per year; $70,480 vs. $62,796).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at New York University (59% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 27.3% larger than aid received by New York University students ($68,591 vs. $53,901).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at NYU (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and NYU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at NYU (3.79).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 55.4% at NYU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $10,275 lower median loan debt than NYU graduates ($12,975 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NYU graduates ($134 vs. $240).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NYU 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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