Amherst vs. Worcester State University

Comparable Facts

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

Worcester State University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (5,745 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Worcester State University is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Worcester State University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester State University are 22.2% lower than at Amherst College ($14,307 vs. $18,390).
• Out-of-state tuition is 294.5% higher at Amherst than at Worcester State University (about $52,614 more per year; $70,480 vs. $17,866).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester State University than at Amherst College (80% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 624.8% larger than aid received by Worcester State University students ($68,591 vs. $9,464).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Worcester State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.61 higher than at Worcester State University (3.3).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 16.7% at Worcester State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $7,025 lower median loan debt than Worcester State University graduates ($12,975 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Worcester State University graduates ($134 vs. $206).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Worcester State University students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 66%).

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