Amherst vs. Northeastern

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

Amherst College
Northeastern University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern (5.2% admitted vs 9%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $34,207 at Northeastern.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Northeastern 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Northeastern $69,500 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Northeastern University
Acceptance rate
Northeastern more selective
Amherst9%
Northeastern5.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Northeastern1440-1540
Average net price
Amherst $15,158 less
Amherst$19,049
Northeastern$34,207
In-state tuition
Northeastern $4,318 less
Amherst$70,480
Northeastern$66,162
Out-of-state tuition
Northeastern $4,318 less
Amherst$70,480
Northeastern$66,162
Graduation rate
Amherst +19 pts
Amherst96%
Northeastern77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$12,500
Amherst$82,000
Northeastern$69,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Northeastern 98,425
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Northeastern 5,133
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Northeastern 5.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Northeastern 53.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Northeastern 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Northeastern 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Northeastern 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Northeastern A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Northeastern Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Northeastern Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Northeastern 1440-1540
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Northeastern 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Northeastern Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Northeastern Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Northeastern $19,580
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Northeastern $34,207
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Northeastern $50,421
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Northeastern 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Northeastern 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Northeastern $69,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Northeastern 79%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Northeastern $27,875
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Northeastern $288
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Northeastern 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Northeastern
    • Business (25%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Northeastern Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Northeastern Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Northeastern 32,553
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Northeastern Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Northeastern #128

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 6.1% lower than at Northeastern University ($18,390 vs. $19,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Amherst than at Northeastern University (about $4,318 more per year; $70,480 vs. $66,162).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Amherst College (66% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 36% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($68,591 vs. $50,421).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Northeastern (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Northeastern.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Amherst students have the same average high school GPA (3.91) as students at Northeastern (3.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,900 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,875).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $154 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($134 vs. $288).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 79%).

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

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