Amherst vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Amherst vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Amherst ($18,211 vs. $19,049).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 10.6% lower than at Amherst College ($16,436 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 687.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $61,527 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 267% higher at Amherst than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $51,277 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Amherst College (72% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 557.5% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($68,591 vs. $10,432).

Amherst vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 260 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Amherst vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $41,800 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $9,525 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($12,975 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($134 vs. $232).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 65%)

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.