Amherst vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

Amherst vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Northeastern? 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 Northeastern ($19,049 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 6.1% lower than at Northeastern University ($18,390 vs. $19,580).
• Amherst College is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $4,318 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Amherst than at Northeastern University (about $4,318 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Amherst College (66% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 36% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($68,591 vs. $50,421).

Amherst vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 50 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Northeastern (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have the same average high school GPA (3.91) as students at Northeastern (3.91).
• Amherst has a higher acceptance rate (9%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

Amherst vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Northeastern? 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 Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,900 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $154 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($134 vs. $288).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 79%)

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.