Amherst vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Amherst vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Fordham? 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 Fordham ($19,049 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 23.7% lower than at Fordham University ($18,390 vs. $24,090).
• Amherst College is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $5,565 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Amherst than at Fordham University (about $5,565 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Amherst College (95% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 90.6% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($68,591 vs. $35,988).

Amherst vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 140 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Amherst vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Fordham? 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,025 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($134 vs. $268).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham 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.