Amherst vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Amherst College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Amherst vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Olin College? 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 Olin College ($19,049 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 11.6% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($18,390 vs. $20,810).
• Amherst College is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $4,082 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Amherst than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $4,082 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 58.4% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($68,591 vs. $43,290).

Amherst vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 10 points higher than at Olin College (1530).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Olin College (3.9).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Amherst vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Olin College? 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).

• The graduation rate at Amherst is the same as at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (96% vs. 96%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $1,735 lower median loan debt than Olin College graduates ($12,975 vs. $14,710).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Olin College graduates ($134 vs. $152).

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.