Amherst vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

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

Middlebury College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,803 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Amherst vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury ($19,049 vs. $26,233).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 4.5% lower than at Middlebury College ($18,390 vs. $19,250).
• Amherst College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middlebury (about $2,880 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Amherst than at Middlebury College (about $2,880 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Middlebury College (59% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 15% larger than aid received by Middlebury College students ($68,591 vs. $59,647).

Amherst vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 40 points higher than at Middlebury (1500).
• Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Middlebury (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Middlebury (3.89).
• Middlebury has a higher acceptance rate (10.7%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Amherst vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College's (90%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Middlebury graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $72,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $2,914 lower median loan debt than Middlebury graduates ($12,975 vs. $15,889).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Middlebury graduates ($134 vs. $164).
• More Middlebury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.