Washington College vs. Amherst

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington College in Chestertown, MD with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Amherst College is larger than Washington College based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington College 8:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Washington College vs. Amherst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington College or Amherst? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Washington College ($19,049 vs. $29,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington College are 0.8% lower than at Amherst College ($18,250 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 27.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $15,154 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.4% higher at Amherst than at Washington College (about $15,154 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 57.7% larger than aid received by Washington College students ($68,591 vs. $43,485).

Washington College vs. Amherst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Washington College or Amherst? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Amherst and Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 270 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390; Amherst College 1490/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31; Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; Amherst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Washington College (3.71).
• Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Washington College vs. Amherst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington College and Amherst? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Washington College's (75%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $31,200 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $11,275 lower median loan debt than Washington College graduates ($12,975 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington College graduates ($134 vs. $250).
• More Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.