Amherst vs. UMass Dartmouth

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in North Dartmouth, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (7,968 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is in North Dartmouth, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 16:1.

Amherst vs. UMass Dartmouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or UMass Dartmouth? 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 UMass Dartmouth ($19,049 vs. $21,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 0.9% lower than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth ($18,390 vs. $18,566).
• Amherst College is 351.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass Dartmouth (about $54,868 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $15,612.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.4% higher at Amherst than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (about $37,913 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $32,567.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth than at Amherst College (96% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 488.4% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Dartmouth students ($68,591 vs. $11,658).

Amherst vs. UMass Dartmouth Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 380 points higher than at UMass Dartmouth (1160).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at UMass Dartmouth).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; UMass Dartmouth - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at UMass Dartmouth (3.37).
• UMass Dartmouth has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 13.5% at UMass Dartmouth.

Amherst vs. UMass Dartmouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and UMass Dartmouth? 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 University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's (48%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $33,000 more per year than UMass Dartmouth graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $12,785 lower median loan debt than UMass Dartmouth graduates ($12,975 vs. $25,760).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass Dartmouth graduates ($134 vs. $266).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass Dartmouth students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 67%)

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.