Wesleyan University vs. Amherst

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

Wesleyan University
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 16.5%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $23,025 at Wesleyan University.
  • Graduation: Wesleyan University 92% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wesleyan University $58,000 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

Wesleyan University Amherst College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Wesleyan University16.5%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Wesleyan University1415-1540
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
Amherst $3,976 less
Wesleyan University$23,025
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
Wesleyan University $138 less
Wesleyan University$70,342
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
Wesleyan University $138 less
Wesleyan University$70,342
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Amherst +4 pts
Wesleyan University92%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$24,000
Wesleyan University$58,000
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Wesleyan University 14,389
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • Wesleyan University 2,373
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wesleyan University 16.5%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wesleyan University 34.8%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wesleyan University 1480
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wesleyan University 34
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • Wesleyan University Elite
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Wesleyan University Very High
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Wesleyan University 1415-1540
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • Wesleyan University 33-35
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • Wesleyan University $19,872
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • Wesleyan University $23,025
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • Wesleyan University $65,995
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wesleyan University 42%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wesleyan University 92%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wesleyan University $58,000
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wesleyan University 89%
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wesleyan University $17,500
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • Wesleyan University $180
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wesleyan University 8:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wesleyan University
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Ethnic Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • Wesleyan University Small City
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Wesleyan University 4,011
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wesleyan University #36
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

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

Wesleyan University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (4,011 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 7.5% lower than at Wesleyan University ($18,390 vs. $19,872).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Amherst than at Wesleyan University (about $138 more per year; $70,480 vs. $70,342).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Wesleyan University (59% vs. 42%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Wesleyan University students ($68,591 vs. $65,995).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Wesleyan University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Amherst (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wesleyan University and Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $4,525 lower median loan debt than Wesleyan University graduates ($12,975 vs. $17,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wesleyan University graduates ($134 vs. $180).
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (89% 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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