Amherst vs. Skidmore College

Comparable Facts

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

Skidmore College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Skidmore College is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Skidmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Skidmore College 8:1.

Amherst vs. Skidmore College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Skidmore 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 Skidmore College ($19,049 vs. $31,187).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Skidmore College are 2.4% lower than at Amherst College ($17,940 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Skidmore College (about $3,190 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,290.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Amherst than at Skidmore College (about $3,190 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $67,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Skidmore College (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 26.8% larger than aid received by Skidmore College students ($68,591 vs. $54,083).

Amherst vs. Skidmore College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 130 points higher than at Skidmore College (1410).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Skidmore College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Skidmore College 1340/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Skidmore College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Skidmore College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Skidmore College (3.75).
• Skidmore College has a higher acceptance rate (21.1%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 26.6% at Skidmore College.

Amherst vs. Skidmore College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Skidmore 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 Skidmore College's (84%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $27,600 more per year than Skidmore College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $6,525 lower median loan debt than Skidmore College graduates ($12,975 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Skidmore College graduates ($134 vs. $201).
• More Skidmore College 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.