Amherst vs. Wellesley

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

Amherst College
Wellesley College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 14%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $22,174 at Wellesley.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Wellesley 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Wellesley $68,100 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Wellesley College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Wellesley14%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Wellesley1460-1560
Average net price
Amherst $3,125 less
Amherst$19,049
Wellesley$22,174
In-state tuition
Wellesley $3,304 less
Amherst$70,480
Wellesley$67,176
Out-of-state tuition
Wellesley $3,304 less
Amherst$70,480
Wellesley$67,176
Graduation rate
Amherst +4 pts
Amherst96%
Wellesley92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$13,900
Amherst$82,000
Wellesley$68,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Wellesley 8,714
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Wellesley 1,224
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Wellesley 14%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Wellesley 47.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Wellesley 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Wellesley 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Wellesley 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Wellesley A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Wellesley Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Wellesley Very High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Wellesley 1460-1560
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Wellesley 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Wellesley Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Wellesley Jan 8, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Wellesley $21,024
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Wellesley $22,174
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Wellesley $64,116
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Wellesley 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Wellesley 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Wellesley $68,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Wellesley 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Wellesley $8,900
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Wellesley $92
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Wellesley 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Wellesley
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Wellesley Wellesley, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Wellesley Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Wellesley 2,407
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Wellesley Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Wellesley #18

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 12.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,390 vs. $21,024).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Amherst than at Wellesley College (about $3,304 more per year; $70,480 vs. $67,176).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Wellesley College (59% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 7% larger than aid received by Wellesley College students ($68,591 vs. $64,116).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Wellesley (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Wellesley.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Wellesley (3.86).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $4,075 lower median loan debt than Amherst graduates ($8,900 vs. $12,975).
  • Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Amherst graduates ($92 vs. $134).
  • More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (86% 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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