Amherst vs. U of R

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

Amherst College
University of Rochester

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 40.1%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $40,462 at U of R.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs U of R 83%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs U of R $71,000 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College University of Rochester
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
U of R40.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
U of R1410-1540
Average net price
Amherst $21,413 less
Amherst$19,049
U of R$40,462
In-state tuition
U of R $3,400 less
Amherst$70,480
U of R$67,080
Out-of-state tuition
U of R $3,400 less
Amherst$70,480
U of R$67,080
Graduation rate
Amherst +13 pts
Amherst96%
U of R83%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$11,000
Amherst$82,000
U of R$71,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • U of R 21,384
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • U of R 8,570
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • U of R 40.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • U of R 15.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • U of R 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • U of R 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • U of R 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • U of R A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • U of R Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • U of R Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • U of R 1410-1540
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • U of R 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • U of R Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • U of R Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • U of R $67,080
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • U of R $67,080
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • U of R $19,792
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • U of R $40,462
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • U of R $45,500
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • U of R 72%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • U of R 83%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • U of R $71,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • U of R 79%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • U of R $24,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • U of R $253
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • U of R 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • U of R
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • U of R Rochester, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • U of R Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • U of R 11,946
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • U of R Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • U of R #56

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 7.1% lower than at University of Rochester ($18,390 vs. $19,792).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at Amherst than at University of Rochester (about $3,400 more per year; $70,480 vs. $67,080).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Amherst College (72% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 50.7% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($68,591 vs. $45,500).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Amherst than at U of R (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and U of R.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at U of R (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 15.4% at U of R.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $11,525 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($12,975 vs. $24,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($134 vs. $253).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R 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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