Amherst vs. Ithaca College

Comparable Facts

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

Ithaca College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (4,767 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Amherst vs. Ithaca College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Ithaca 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 Ithaca College ($19,049 vs. $35,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ithaca College are 12% lower than at Amherst College ($16,192 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 31.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ithaca College (about $16,940 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.6% higher at Amherst than at Ithaca College (about $16,940 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ithaca College than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 105.1% larger than aid received by Ithaca College students ($68,591 vs. $33,450).

Amherst vs. Ithaca College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 230 points higher than at Ithaca College (1310).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Ithaca College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Ithaca College 1230/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Ithaca College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Ithaca College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027.
• Ithaca College has a higher acceptance rate (69%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 12.3% at Ithaca College.

Amherst vs. Ithaca College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Ithaca 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 Ithaca College's (74%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $25,900 more per year than Ithaca College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $12,775 lower median loan debt than Ithaca College graduates ($12,975 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ithaca College graduates ($134 vs. $266).
• More Ithaca College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.