UChicago vs. Amherst

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

University of Chicago
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UChicago (4.5% admitted vs 9%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $28,060 at UChicago.
  • Graduation: UChicago 92% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UChicago $98,500 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

University of Chicago Amherst College
Acceptance rate
UChicago more selective
UChicago4.5%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UChicago higher
UChicago1510-1580
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
Amherst $9,011 less
UChicago$28,060
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
Amherst $182 less
UChicago$70,662
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
Amherst $182 less
UChicago$70,662
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Amherst +4 pts
UChicago92%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
UChicago +$16,500
UChicago$98,500
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UChicago 43,612
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • UChicago 1,955
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • UChicago 4.5%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UChicago 88.3%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UChicago 1550
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • UChicago 34
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • UChicago 3.95
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • UChicago A
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • UChicago Elite
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • UChicago Extreme
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • UChicago 1510-1580
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • UChicago 34-35
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • UChicago Test optional
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UChicago
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UChicago $70,662
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UChicago $70,662
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • UChicago $20,109
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • UChicago $28,060
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • UChicago $62,300
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UChicago 47%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • UChicago 92%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UChicago $98,500
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • UChicago 86%
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UChicago $14,500
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • UChicago $149
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UChicago 5:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • UChicago
    • Social Sciences (38%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Mathematics (7%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • UChicago Chicago, IL
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • UChicago Large City
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • UChicago 18,566
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • UChicago Private 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UChicago #6
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

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

University of Chicago is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 8.5% lower than at University of Chicago ($18,390 vs. $20,109).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at UChicago than at Amherst College (about $182 more per year; $70,662 vs. $70,480).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at University of Chicago (59% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 10.1% larger than aid received by University of Chicago students ($68,591 vs. $62,300).

Admissions details

  • Incoming UChicago students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Amherst (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UChicago and Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UChicago average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Amherst (3.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $1,525 lower median loan debt than UChicago graduates ($12,975 vs. $14,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UChicago graduates ($134 vs. $149).
  • More UChicago 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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