Amherst vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Providence College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Providence College 11:1.

Amherst vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Providence? 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 Providence ($19,049 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 3% lower than at Amherst College ($17,840 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 10.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $6,930 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at Amherst than at Providence College (about $6,930 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Amherst College (83% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 115.2% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($68,591 vs. $31,873).

Amherst vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 220 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Amherst vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Providence? 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 Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($134 vs. $279).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

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.