Amherst vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

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

Amherst College is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Bryn Mawr College is in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Bryn Mawr College 8:1.

Amherst vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr ($19,049 vs. $33,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 5.2% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($18,390 vs. $19,400).
• Amherst College is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryn Mawr (about $4,560 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Amherst than at Bryn Mawr College (about $4,560 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Mawr College than at Amherst College (72% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 37.1% larger than aid received by Bryn Mawr College students ($68,591 vs. $50,029).

Amherst vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 140 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Bryn Mawr (3.85).
• Bryn Mawr has a higher acceptance rate (29.4%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

Amherst vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College's (87%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than Bryn Mawr graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $61,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,025 lower median loan debt than Bryn Mawr graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($134 vs. $268).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 79%)

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.