Amherst vs. Babson

Comparable Facts

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

Babson College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,932 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Babson College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Babson College 15:1.

Amherst vs. Babson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Babson? 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 Babson ($19,049 vs. $32,019).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 14.7% lower than at Babson College ($18,390 vs. $21,550).
• Amherst College is 23.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $13,328 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Amherst than at Babson College (about $13,328 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Babson College (59% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 42.4% larger than aid received by Babson College students ($68,591 vs. $48,173).

Amherst vs. Babson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Babson? 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 Babson and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 80 points higher than at Babson (1460).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Babson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Babson College 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Babson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Babson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Babson Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Babson (3.79).
• Babson has a higher acceptance rate (17.1%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 39% at Babson.

Amherst vs. Babson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Babson? 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 Babson College's (90%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $26,500 more per year than Amherst graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $82,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,025 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($134 vs. $268).
• More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.