Amherst vs. EC

Comparable Facts

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

Amherst College is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Elmira College is in Elmira, NY (Small City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Elmira College 11:1.

Amherst vs. EC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or EC? 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 EC ($19,049 vs. $23,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 20.9% lower than at Amherst College ($14,550 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 80.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $31,504 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.8% higher at Amherst than at Elmira College (about $31,504 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 138.3% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($68,591 vs. $28,780).

Amherst vs. EC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 300 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Elmira College 1090/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Elmira College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; EC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 12.3% at EC.

Amherst vs. EC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and EC? 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $36,000 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($134 vs. $279).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 72%)

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.