Amherst vs. UB

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

Amherst College
University at Buffalo

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 74.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $20,529 at UB.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs UB 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs UB $58,400 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College University at Buffalo
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
UB74.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
UB1210-1380
Average net price
Amherst $1,480 less
Amherst$19,049
UB$20,529
In-state tuition
UB $59,544 less
Amherst$70,480
UB$10,936
Out-of-state tuition
UB $38,944 less
Amherst$70,480
UB$31,536
Graduation rate
Amherst +25 pts
Amherst96%
UB71%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$23,600
Amherst$82,000
UB$58,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • UB 40,856
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • UB 30,308
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • UB 74.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • UB 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • UB 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • UB 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • UB 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • UB A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • UB Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • UB Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • UB 1210-1380
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • UB 27-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • UB Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • UB
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • UB $10,936
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • UB $31,536
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • UB $17,426
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • UB $20,529
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • UB $10,663
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • UB 76%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • UB 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • UB $58,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • UB 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • UB $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • UB $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • UB 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • UB
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • UB Buffalo, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • UB Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • UB 31,903
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • UB Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • UB #101

Comparable Facts

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

University at Buffalo is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (31,903 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); University at Buffalo is in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; University at Buffalo 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Buffalo are 5.2% lower than at Amherst College ($17,426 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 123.5% higher at Amherst than at University at Buffalo (about $38,944 more per year; $70,480 vs. $31,536).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Buffalo than at Amherst College (76% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 543.3% larger than aid received by University at Buffalo students ($68,591 vs. $10,663).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Amherst than at UB (34 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and UB.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at UB (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 14.1% at UB.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $6,525 lower median loan debt than UB graduates ($12,975 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UB graduates ($134 vs. $201).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 70%).

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

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