Amherst vs. Tufts

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

Amherst College
Tufts University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 11.5%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $32,367 at Tufts.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Tufts 90%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Tufts $83,100 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Tufts University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Tufts11.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Tufts1470-1560
Average net price
Amherst $13,318 less
Amherst$19,049
Tufts$32,367
In-state tuition
Amherst $224 less
Amherst$70,480
Tufts$70,704
Out-of-state tuition
Amherst $224 less
Amherst$70,480
Tufts$70,704
Graduation rate
Amherst +6 pts
Amherst96%
Tufts90%
Median earnings (10 years)
Tufts +$1,100
Amherst$82,000
Tufts$83,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Tufts 34,432
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Tufts 3,957
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Tufts 11.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Tufts 45.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Tufts 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Tufts 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Tufts 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Tufts A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Tufts Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Tufts Very High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Tufts 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Tufts 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Tufts Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tufts Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Tufts $18,588
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Tufts $32,367
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Tufts $55,933
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Tufts 39%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Tufts 90%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Tufts $83,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Tufts 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Tufts $18,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Tufts $186
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Tufts 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Tufts
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Tufts Medford, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Tufts Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Tufts 13,599
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Tufts Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Tufts #33

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Tufts University is in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Tufts University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 1.1% lower than at Tufts University ($18,390 vs. $18,588).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Tufts than at Amherst College (about $224 more per year; $70,704 vs. $70,480).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Tufts University (59% vs. 39%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 22.6% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($68,591 vs. $55,933).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Tufts (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Tufts.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Tufts Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Amherst students have the same average high school GPA (3.91) as students at Tufts (3.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 45.5% at Tufts.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $5,025 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($12,975 vs. $18,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($134 vs. $186).
  • More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 83%).

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

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