Amherst vs. Gettysburg College

Comparable Facts

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

Gettysburg College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,812 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Gettysburg College is in Gettysburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gettysburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Gettysburg College 10:1.

Amherst vs. Gettysburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Gettysburg 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 Gettysburg College ($19,049 vs. $32,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gettysburg College are 12.4% lower than at Amherst College ($16,110 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gettysburg College (about $3,840 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $66,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Amherst than at Gettysburg College (about $3,840 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $66,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gettysburg College than at Amherst College (98% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 39.4% larger than aid received by Gettysburg College students ($68,591 vs. $49,191).

Amherst vs. Gettysburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 170 points higher than at Gettysburg College (1370).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Gettysburg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Gettysburg College 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Gettysburg College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Gettysburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027.
• Gettysburg College has a higher acceptance rate (38.9%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 15.6% at Gettysburg College.

Amherst vs. Gettysburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Gettysburg 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).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Gettysburg College's (85%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Gettysburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $60,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $9,025 lower median loan debt than Gettysburg College graduates ($12,975 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gettysburg College graduates ($134 vs. $227).
• More Gettysburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 83%)

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.