Amherst vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Amherst vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Emerson? 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 Emerson ($19,049 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 12.1% lower than at Emerson College ($18,390 vs. $20,920).
• Amherst College is 23.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $13,424 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.5% higher at Amherst than at Emerson College (about $13,424 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Amherst College (77% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 154.1% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($68,591 vs. $26,997).

Amherst vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 190 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Amherst vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Emerson? 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 Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $32,800 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $10,525 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($12,975 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($134 vs. $242).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

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.