Amherst vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Amherst vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($19,049 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 1.6% lower than at Amherst College ($18,096 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $8,068 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Amherst than at Drexel University (about $8,068 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 95.7% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($68,591 vs. $35,051).

Amherst vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 200 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Amherst vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Drexel? 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Drexel graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $77,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,268 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($134 vs. $271).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 77%)

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.