Yale vs. Amherst

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

Yale University
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Yale (3.9% admitted vs 9%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $22,408 at Yale.
  • Graduation: Yale 97% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Yale $118,400 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

Yale University Amherst College
Acceptance rate
Yale more selective
Yale3.9%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Yale1470-1570
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
Amherst $3,359 less
Yale$22,408
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
Yale $3,230 less
Yale$67,250
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
Yale $3,230 less
Yale$67,250
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Yale +1 pts
Yale97%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Yale +$36,400
Yale$118,400
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Yale 57,517
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • Yale 2,227
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • Yale 3.9%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Yale 69.8%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Yale 1520
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Yale 34
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Yale 3.95
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Yale A
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • Yale Elite
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Yale Extreme
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Yale 1470-1570
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • Yale 33-35
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Yale Required
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Yale Jan 2, 2027
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Yale $67,250
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Yale $67,250
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • Yale $19,900
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • Yale $22,408
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • Yale $65,892
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Yale 56%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Yale 97%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Yale $118,400
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Yale 84%
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Yale $13,500
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • Yale $139
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Yale 5:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Yale
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • History (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Ethnic Studies (7%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Yale New Haven, CT
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • Yale Midsize City
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Yale 15,564
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • Yale Private 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Yale #5
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

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

Yale University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 7.6% lower than at Yale University ($18,390 vs. $19,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Amherst than at Yale University (about $3,230 more per year; $70,480 vs. $67,250).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Yale University (59% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Yale University students ($68,591 vs. $65,892).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Yale students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Amherst (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Yale, test optional at Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Yale average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Amherst (3.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $525 lower median loan debt than Yale graduates ($12,975 vs. $13,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Yale graduates ($134 vs. $139).
  • More Yale graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (84% 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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