Amherst vs. Simmons University

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

Amherst College
Simmons University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 70%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $28,691 at Simmons University.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Simmons University 69%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Simmons University $52,800 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Simmons University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Simmons University70%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Simmons University1220-1390
Average net price
Amherst $9,642 less
Amherst$19,049
Simmons University$28,691
In-state tuition
Simmons University $23,606 less
Amherst$70,480
Simmons University$46,874
Out-of-state tuition
Simmons University $23,606 less
Amherst$70,480
Simmons University$46,874
Graduation rate
Amherst +27 pts
Amherst96%
Simmons University69%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$29,200
Amherst$82,000
Simmons University$52,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Simmons University 4,773
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Simmons University 3,340
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Simmons University 70%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Simmons University 10.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Simmons University 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Simmons University 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Simmons University 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Simmons University A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Simmons University Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Simmons University Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Simmons University 1220-1390
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Simmons University 26-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Simmons University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Simmons University Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Simmons University $46,874
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Simmons University $46,874
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Simmons University $17,618
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Simmons University $28,691
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Simmons University $35,123
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Simmons University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Simmons University 69%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Simmons University $52,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Simmons University 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Simmons University $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Simmons University $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Simmons University 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Simmons University
    • Health Professions (37%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Business (6%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Simmons University Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Simmons University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Simmons University 4,666
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Simmons University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Simmons University #111

Comparable Facts

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

Simmons University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Simmons University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simmons University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Simmons University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simmons University are 4.2% lower than at Amherst College ($17,618 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 50.4% higher at Amherst than at Simmons University (about $23,606 more per year; $70,480 vs. $46,874).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simmons University than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 95.3% larger than aid received by Simmons University students ($68,591 vs. $35,123).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Amherst than at Simmons University (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Simmons University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Simmons University Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Simmons University (3.87).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 10.8% at Simmons University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,025 lower median loan debt than Simmons University graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simmons University graduates ($134 vs. $268).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simmons University students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 80%).

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

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