Amherst vs. West Point

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with United States Military Academy in West Point, New York on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

United States Military Academy is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (4,473 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); United States Military Academy is in West Point, New York (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. United States Military Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; United States Military Academy 6:1.

Amherst vs. West Point Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or West Point? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• In-state tuition differs between Amherst College and West Point ($70,480.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Amherst and United States Military Academy ($70,480.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at United States Military Academy (59% vs. 0%).

Amherst vs. West Point Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or West Point? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between West Point and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 220 points higher than at West Point (1320).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 30 at West Point).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Amherst College 1490/1580; United States Military Academy 1200/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Amherst College 33/35; United States Military Academy 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; West Point - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; West Point Jan 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman West Point students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Amherst (3.91).
• West Point has a higher acceptance rate (12.5%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 77.9% at West Point.

Amherst vs. West Point Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and West Point? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than United States Military Academy's (80%).
• Graduates from Amherst College have median earnings of about $82,000 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for West Point.

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.