Amherst vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Cornell University 9:1.

Amherst vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Cornell? 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 Cornell ($19,049 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 5.3% lower than at Cornell University ($18,390 vs. $19,428).
• Amherst College is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell (about $1,166 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $69,314.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Amherst than at Cornell University (about $1,166 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $69,314.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Cornell University (59% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 11% larger than aid received by Cornell University students ($68,591 vs. $61,779).

Amherst vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is the same as at Cornell (1540).
• Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Cornell (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Cornell (3.9).
• Amherst has a higher acceptance rate (9%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Amherst vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Cornell? 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 Cornell University's (93%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Amherst graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $82,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $975 lower median loan debt than Amherst graduates ($12,000 vs. $12,975).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Amherst graduates ($124 vs. $134).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.