Amherst vs. Vassar

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

Amherst College
Vassar College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 18.6%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1500.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $29,981 at Vassar.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Vassar 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Vassar $58,400 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Vassar College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Vassar18.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Vassar1450-1550
Average net price
Amherst $10,932 less
Amherst$19,049
Vassar$29,981
In-state tuition
Amherst $550 less
Amherst$70,480
Vassar$71,030
Out-of-state tuition
Amherst $550 less
Amherst$70,480
Vassar$71,030
Graduation rate
Amherst +5 pts
Amherst96%
Vassar91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$23,600
Amherst$82,000
Vassar$58,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Vassar 12,447
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Vassar 2,311
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Vassar 18.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Vassar 28.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Vassar 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Vassar 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Vassar 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Vassar A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Vassar Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Vassar Very High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Vassar 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Vassar 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Vassar Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Vassar Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Vassar $18,240
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Vassar $29,981
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Vassar $57,443
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Vassar 55%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Vassar 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Vassar $58,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Vassar 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Vassar $15,780
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Vassar $163
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Vassar 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Vassar
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Vassar Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Vassar Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Vassar 2,462
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Vassar Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Vassar #46

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 0.8% lower than at Amherst College ($18,240 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Vassar than at Amherst College (about $550 more per year; $71,030 vs. $70,480).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Vassar College (59% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 19.4% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($68,591 vs. $57,443).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Vassar.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Vassar (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $2,805 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($12,975 vs. $15,780).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($134 vs. $163).
  • More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (92% 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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